CRBC says road projects gaining momentum

Addis Ababa, August 22(ENA)-- The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) says the road projects it is undertaking in Ethiopia at a total cost of 643.8 million Birr have been going on successfully and smoothly.

  Assistant general manager of CRBC-Ethiopia, Lin Zhinqing told ENA on Wednesday that the projects were being carried out smoothly due to the good relationship between the management and the workers.

  CRBC was the lead contractor of the 140.7-km Awash-Hirna Road Upgrading Project, which is being carried out at a cost of 257 million Birr, the Asst. general manager said.

  So far, all the earthworks, sub-grade and sub-base have been completed, he said, adding asphalt pavement of 70 kilometer has already been finished, making the physical accomplishment more than 53 per cent.

 CRBC has also been undertaking the construction of the 80-km Kulubi-Dengego-Dire Dawa-Harer road at a cost of 162 million Birr, he said, adding so far more than 30-km has been paved making the physical accomplishment 50 per cent.

  As of November 2000, CRBC has accomplished 7 per cent of the 120-km Alemgena-Butajira road, Zhinqing said.

  The management of each project was working closely with the workers and the respective labor unions to solve the problems and misunderstandings if there were any, he said.

  CRBC has created job opportunities for more than 3,500 local workers in the four projects, Zhinqing said.

  He said the corporation started its involvement in infrastructure development in Ethiopia some 20 years ago.

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