Discussion on 5 years Growth and Transformation Plan Conducted at ECSC
Ethiopian Civil Service University instructors and other employees conducted a two half-days discussion on the five year’s Growth and Transformation Plan on 21st and 22nd of December 2010. Honorable Dr.Haile Michael Abera, President of the University and Dr. Samson Kassahun, Vice President for Academic Development gave a power point presentation on issues included in the plan.
The presentation focused on the first five years plan performance assessment and the new 2010 /11-2014/15 Growth and Transformation Plan’s bases, objectives, pillar strategies, macroeconomic and main sectors targets, capacity building and Good Governance targets and monitoring and evaluation systems of the plan.
The participants underlined the need for such kind of discussion as it is helpful to internalize the plan and discharge their responsibilities as professionals and citizens of the country in responsible manner. In the discussion participants forwarded their ideas - expressed their concerns and raised questions.
The questions include if there is a proper monitory policy to enhance our saving as it was below 10% during the previous five years plan; what is our source of income for the execution of the plan; how it is possible to bring five fold growth in agriculture as the focus is in small holder farmers ; whether there is focus for chemical industry since it is key for other industries; why the population growth is not given much emphasis in the plan ; what is to be done to avoid saturation of industries in big cities etc..
Dr. Samson Kassahun reacted on the questions and suggestions raised during the discussions. He said the population issues are to be treated in every sector as it is a crosscutting issue. Concerning the rural urban migration he said it could not a problem if proper policies are set because the industries to be built in cities will accommodate these people. He also said
" the federal government established industry zones at different corners of the country and the regional governments are also doing so in order to make the distribution of industries evenhanded."
The participants also forwarded their views on the issues. Concerning the source of income for the execution of the plan it is said that 75% of it will be generated from internal revenue and this will develop our self dependency. The government is designing different schemes to enhance our saving ability like adjustment of interest rates and housing loan. The devaluation of Birr will foster Foreign Direct Investment which is resulted in earning hard currency, they said.
Dr. Haile-Michael in his concluding remarks said the chemical industry is high in the government agenda as it is important both as in put for other industries and as a product for different purposes. Concerning Smallholder farming Dr. Haile-Michael said
"it is proved (even by World Bank) to be a basis for development of countries where the large number of the population is subsistence farmers. Import substitute industry is also being encouraged"
In the discussion the participants unanimously underscored the need for the people to change work and saving cultures and attitudes; enhance tax paying cultures; develop a culture to use own goods and products, say no to corruption; be ambassador of the country if the GTP is to be achieved.
In related development, students of the University held discussion in the Growth and Transformation Plan on 24th and 25th December 2010. In the discussion the students raised points on varieties of issues. They said everybody should be accountable to what he/she does. They also said we should avoid dependency on foreign expertise.
Dr. Haile Michael said currently 90% of our academic staff have Masters and above qualification and we keep on building the capacity of our staff.