(November 2, 2023, Adama) Ethiopian Cities Association (ECA) in collaboration with the Minister of Urban and Infrastructure organized a two-day workshop, which focused on draft policies of urban development and construction industry, as well as cadastre and smart city concept Implementation at Adama city.

The guest of honor of the workshop, State Minister of the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, Honorable Ato Fenta Dejen, announced that building the capacity of mayors is important for development of cities.

In his speech the Honorable Ato Fenta quoted that ‘Cities look like their leaders’ and a strong leadership with extensive experience and knowledge in the field of urban development has a greater chance of building a good image of a city and the Ministry has been given attention for it and is being worked on.

In the opening speech, the Director General of Ethiopian Cities Association, Ato Andualem Tenaw, said that in addition to the services ECA are currently providing, based on the strategy implemented a year ago, it is preparing to establish a training center or academy that will be the first in Ethiopia to build the capacity of mayors and city administrors and serve as an induction or orientation before they start work.

More than 40 mayors and city administrations attended the two-day workshop and discussed the draft urban development and construction industry policy presented by Dr. Aman Asefa and Dr. Abebayehu Mulugeta, policy and strategy research analysts at the Ministry.

On the second day, regarding the implementation of Adama city cadastre system, the deputy head of land management of the city, Ato Gutema Gero, and the implementation of the smart city project, head of the science and technology office and the manager of the smart city initiative, Eng. Muktar Jelan were presented and discussed.

Some of the participants of the workshop, honorable mayors mentioned and commented that they have gained extensive experience from the documents presented and also obtained concrete information by visiting the smart city project of Adama city in person.

In particular, the mayors were learned that the experience of Yirgalem city’s revenue enhancement mechanism, which was presented by the mayor of Yergalem city,  Ato Terfe Muluneh, has shown that they have gained enough experience and the way they can increase the income of their respective cities.