DEVELOPMENT REFORMS ERITREA
On our current visit to Eritrea, We felt
extremely happy to note and realize that the welcome accorded Us by the people
is sincere, deep and genuine. We have already spoken clearly about the
administration of Eritrea, of the past and future. That Eritrea, before the
federal union with Ethiopia, stayed separated for 60 years by the design of imperialists
and colonialists and not by the will of God, has been manifested by the
ultimate unity achieved. The struggle undertaken by the people to effect the
reunification of Eritrea with Ethiopia is also very clear.
It is not necessary to enumerate countries
where the people and the entire country having lost unity, spiritual or
otherwise, have become playgrounds and laughing stocks of outsiders. The
historical events of certain countries bear witness to this fact. In our own
times, there are those expansionists who by shedding blood, desire to achieve
their ambition and by dismembering themselves they are seen as tools for alien
interests. Our people from Ethiopia shed blood, to save them from
disintegration. Those personalities who believe in freeing a country by
secession are selfish and prey to outsiders. We will not accept
their motives.
The Eritrean people and their representatives work not only for Eritrea
but for the entire Ethiopia too. They have worked for the welfare of the
country even before the hard-ship. What brings people together is not only
history, culture and geography but also the various voluntary social associations
as well as economic interests and sharing infirmities or benefits in common;
that is very clear.
Anyone, therefore, by investing his capital and wealth enjoys the
benefits for himself and this situation provides general well-being by
strengthening the unity of a people and by raising its living standard too.
In order to amass private wealth and benefit from it in peace and
security, it is necessary to comply with the fundamental precepts of the society.
So being, even the accumulation of private property emanates from a harmonious
social life and entails certain obligations. One of these typical obligations
would be to put one’s private capital into use. Since wealth is acquired by
hard labour it is necessary to manifest an effort by using the invested
capital.
Development
Plans
The natural resources such as mines and others found in Eritrea and the
other parts of Ethiopia remain the property of the Government and would be
utilized in such effective ways facilitating the speedy progress and
development of the Empire. It is also the duty of the people to render their
service to the Government and the Government in turn is bound to serve the
people.
Though it is difficult to effect the overall development of a nation in
a short time, besides the projects which have already been accomplished, We
have laid down for the development of this part of Our country the projects
out-lined in the Second Five-Year Plan.
The projected development plan includes:
1. The Zula
Dam and the oil-finding survey on the Red Sea Coast already
costing Eth. $2,000,000. The fact
2. that We have spent so much while the
federation was still in existence is proof
of
Our belief in the oneness of Eritrea and Ethiopia. We are negotiating with
private
firms to discover oil and We are confident to effect an agreement with
the
firms concerned when the oil is discovered.
3. The survey for the discovery of copper
and iron ore would be completed in
the
near future.
4. A new organization would be established
to encourage the development of
cotton
plantations in the Province of Tessenei and the other lowlands and at
the
same time to advise and grant loans to farmers.
5. Studies for the establishment of a
cement factory have been completed and
the
factory would be in operation soon.
6. We have allotted Eth. $1,000,000 for
transport, forestry, irrigation systems
and
for administrative purposes.
7. An additional Eth. $2,000,000 has been
added to the Eth. $500,000 previously
allocated
to construct the road from Areza to Bosheka.
8. We have further approved to restudy the
tax levied on fuels consumed by
agricultural
machineries.
9. To help the people inhabiting the
lowlands We have, as We expressed earlier,
made
arrangements for the Areza-Bosheka road.
The outlined are projects undertaken by
the Government. We have also formulated plans to help private enterprises help
themselves and the people. The Development Bank would be founded to realize Our
concern on this line.
We have also made
arrangements for Our people to benefit by purchasing shares from the private
companies. Our endeavour to help the people also pre-supposes that the people
should help Us. The wealth of Eritrea is
the wealth
of Ethiopia and the wealth of Ethiopia is
the wealth of Eritrea.
The realization of such a plan to effect
the overall development of the national interest requires the active
participation of the people and We have as such given instructions to members
of the Eritrean Assembly to labour for the cause. This also calls for the
co-ordination of the efforts exerted here as well as in the capital. The Police
Force has so far rendered service and it would be given help to continue its
service.
It is Our fervent hope that Almighty God
will guide and bring Our efforts to fruition.
Jan. 18, 1963.
Selected Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie
– page 426 –
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