Vol. 22 No. 55 Wednesday, 9 september, 2015 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

291 elementary-school-teachers have graduated from the Asmara Community College at a certificate level. The extensive training courses were conducted in the past two Summers.

During the graduation ceremony, the Minister of Education, Mr. Semere Russom, underlined that the MOE was pursuing vigorous

Eritrean Athletes Abraham Kidane, Pietro Mamo, Yosief Tekhle secured 1st, 2nd and 4th places respectively in the mountain

Birhan Aini Hospital received a donation for various medical equipment from the National Health

The Ministry of Education has called for coordinated efforts to eradicate illiteracy. The calls were made in a statement the MoE issued in connection with September 8 - International Illiteracy Eradication Day.

International Illiteracy Eradication Day was held under the central banner of: “Eradicate Illiteracy: Secure the Development of Society”. In this regard, the Ministry of Education has emphasized that the event will serve as providing the platform and benchmark for assessing the campaigns and activities conducted at a national level to eradicate illiteracy and for highlighting the

Veteran freedom fighter, Yemane abraham, passes awaY

Veteran freedom fighter, Mr. Yemane Abraham Bayru, passed away yesterday, September 6, at the age of 61.

Mr. Yemane was one of the pioneer freedom fighters joining the EPLF in 1973. He served his people and nation with characteristic devotion, working in various capacities until the time of his death. Funeral service of the late veteran fighter was held on the 7th of September at 4:00 pm at the Patriots Cemetery in Asmara.

Veteran fighter Yemane Abraham is survived by his wife and four children. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of the bereaved.

national general examination results

The results of the National 8th Grade General Examination were officially announced on September 5.

Around 70% from the 46,000 students that took part in the examination have obtained passing marks. The examination was taken by all eligible students throughout the country as well as Eritrean students in Riyadh and Jeddah. The passing rate this year has shown an overall 11% increase from the previous academic year.

importance of education in nurturing a knowledge-based society.

Eritrea continues to funnel substantial public investments in the sector to ensure universal access to education. GOE’s pronounced policy commitment in this regard is articulated in the operational guideline of “Education for all”. The overall achievements made so far have been considerable although a lot remains to be done.

The commemorative event this year “is expected to outline specific programs for tangible results to eradicate illiteracy worldwide”, the MoE statement concludes.

training programmes to upgrade the competence of teachers. Special emphasis was given to teachers assigned to remote places, the Minister elaborated.

The Director of Asmara Community College, Mr. Alem Gebreqal, noted that the training offered every summer is aimed at producing quality and experienced

teachers. He further added that the college has been actively working to upgrade teachers’ level of education and has thus far brought about significant improvement in the number of those working in the field.

Outstanding teachers who excelled in their training received awards from the Minister of Education.

teachers graduate at the asmara communitY college

ministrY of education calls for coordinated efforts to eradicate illiteracY

eritrean athletes excel in the austrian mountain racerace held in Austria on September 6th. Over 20 nations participated in the challenging race.

Athlete Abraham Kidane

finished the race in 38 minutes and 29 seconds, while Pietro Mamo secured the second place finishing in 38 minutes and 30 seconds - only a second apart from Abraham. Athlete Yosief Tekhle stood fourth in the race finishing in 39 minutes and 26 seconds.

This impressive results in the Austrian mountain race come closely in the heels of Eritrea’s gold medal win in the men’s marathon at the World Championships in Beijing last month.

medical equipment for birhan aYni hospitaland Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

At the ceremony held on the occasion, the Director General of Health Services, Mr. Berhane Gebretinsae, paid tribute to the extensive cooperation arrangements that have been cultivated in diverse medial fields with the PRC in the past years.

This is rooted on bilateral agreements of friendship and cooperation reached between both Governments, Mr. Berhane stated. He further expressed his hopes for the collaboration to grow in the years ahead.

The PRC’s Ambassador to Eritrea, Mr. Qui Xuejun, on his part stated that the donated items will bolster the efforts of the Ministry of Health to render effective public health services.

The Ambassador also underlined that the benefits that accrue from the exchange of experiences in the field of medicine between both sides cannot be viewed lightly.

In related news, an 11-member Chinese medical group has conducted successful eye surgeries on 318 Eritrean patients at the Birhan Aini Hospital with the cooperation of local medical experts.The surgeries conducted within the past 10 days included cataract operations.

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2Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015

By: Yishak Yared

The history of the Eritrean struggle for independence is surrounded with heroic feats by individual liberation fighters, from the leadership to the rank and file. Each liberation fighter has his/her own history to tell and re-member. And with proper documen-tation that would enable generations and historians with special interest about the Eritrean struggle for in-dependence, have the full picture of what the Eritrean people had to go through to gain their independence and put their country in its right place. Hence, the collection of all these individual feats produces the factual history of the armed struggle for independence. And as such it is understandable, and actually a fact on the ground, that the EPLF docu-mented every activity took place in the many years of the armed struggle to the minimal detail, making it one of the few liberation organizations to do so. Every activity of the armed struggle was reported by hierarchal levels from the bottom to the highest echelons of the organization.

To further enrich the history of the armed struggle more initiatives are presently being taken by differ-ent former units of the EPLF. The activity is being conducted in the form of organizing workshops to collect information from individual members of the different group and finally document and analyze the in-formation gathered, and ultimately come up with the history of that unit and incorporate it with the collective history of the armed struggle for in-dependence.

One way of collecting informa-tion from individuals could be through conducting interviews to the individual members of a unit. But that proves to be time consum-ing and unlikely to get the desired information. Hence, the workshops have comparative advantages of their own, because groups are able to draw on the knowledge and ex-perience of all individuals present. Moreover, information exchange among members often helps indi-viduals to remember things that they would not have remembered had they been working alone.

The Combat Engineering Unit conducted a three day workshop from 4 -6 September 2015 in the city of Keren aiming at documenting the heroic feats undertaken by members of the unit during the armed struggle. During the workshop, each mem-ber has been fluently narrating his/her daily activities in executing the assigned operations. The narration incorporates the time, date, month and year of operations, with fellow participants correcting any ambigui-ties. The unit that was established in 1970 at smaller levels grew in num-ber and strength through time and with the intensity of the struggle. The workshop was divided accord-ing to various stages of the struggle and every participant had to nar-rate their involvement and results achieved or failed.

The mission of the unit had been to clear and defuse enemy mines and create passage for the combatants so they could fulfill their assignments unhindered by the explosives. The other objective of the mission had been to plant anti-personnel and an-ti-vehicle mines in order to obstruct and slow down enemy advances. In addition to that, the unit has been also involved in combat missions behind enemy lines destroying en-

emy infrastructure and other eco-nomic interests. With regards to that the unit conducted a massive job making it one of the vital organs of the EPLF units.

Starting from the mid-70s the unit established a workshop as well as a research and study center in which it started to develop different devices that helped it strengthen its perfor-mance capacity.

The unit’s mission was not con-fined to Eritrea only but also oper-ated beyond the borders, mostly in Tigray and Assosa, Southern Ethio-pia. The mission’s objective beyond the border has been to weaken the enemy and ease the burden of the liberation fighters inside the country. They conducted their operations in places they had never been before, in terrains they had never been used to and with people they never knew before. But they were executing their missions meticulously and at that time they gained the apprecia-tion of the people they were there to support.

During the conference, each mem-ber of the unit narrated in detail the heroic feats they have been doing, the challenges and difficulties they encountered in their missions. It is easy to talk about it but to imagine

what the situation looked like would seem unbearable and beyond human capacity. And hearing those men and women members of the unit sharing their experiences left the listeners mesmerized.

The motto of the unit, “The First Mistake is the Last”, has been im-printed in the mind of every mem-ber from the early stage of their assignment to the unit. One mis-take in planting or defusing a land mine could cost the life of not only an individual but also to the entire unit involved in the operation. The strong message of the maxim “do your job properly or else it is the end of your life” is frightening and de-mands courage and determination. But courage and determination have both been trademarks of the EPLF combatants. Otherwise, no human being would dare to do something knowing that sooner or later a minor mistake could end his/her life.

Most of the participants of the workshop were liberation fight-ers now in their 50s and 60s. Their memory is still intact and they recite every movement, place of operation and the achieved or failed mission. They remember every detail because they have been living in it and they have been doing it for a cause and as such the memory has become part

and parcel of their entire life.

The initiative to organize such workshops is commendable and a noble effort at that. The Eritrean struggle for independence is unique by all standards of measurement. The Eritrean people fought for their independence against a powerful colonial army of sub-Sahara Africa backed by some world’s super-pow-ers. The enemy has been equipped to the teeth with modern weaponry that it was supplied by the super-powers. Moreover, especially during the successive offensives by the en-emy to capture the EPLF stronghold at Nakfa, there were Soviet military advisors involved in direct combat. The modern weaponry coupled with the foreign modern military advice could not deter the liberation fighters from pursuing their desired goal. No matter what and whatever the cost, Eritrea should have its right place in the world map. Eritrea, a country where its people live proudly as free people walking with their heads held high in confidence.

The workshops being conducted by the different units of the EPLF aimed at documenting the heroic feats done during the armed struggle for independence will enable the Eritrean generations to come know about the heroism of their fathers and mothers; how Eritrea was made into a nation and the heavy price paid for it; as well as the challenges and hardships encountered. The heavy price paid was not in vain and its sovereignty should be preserved at any cost. Properly documenting the heroic history of the struggle for independence and the struggle to safeguard its sovereignty would en-able the Eritrean generations devel-op their understanding and develop determination to build a developed country in which its people live in prosperity and harmony.

“Documentation Towards Preservation”

3Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015

Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion

In recent years, Eritrea’s min-ing and energy sector has received considerable attention. The coun-try has been described as “…likely sitting on massive oil and gas re-serves…” and possessing all “…the geological features of a major hydrocarbon bonanza..,” while its nascent mining industry has been touted as a potential regional and global powerhouse.

At the same time, however, the majority of mainstream discus-sion about Eritrea’s mining and energy sector, much like coverage of the country in general, has been plagued with inaccuracies and lacked context, with many observ-ers simply characterizing the coun-try as just the latest in a long line of resource-abundant or dependent developing states doomed to be a failure. Not only are such observa-tions cursory and quite misplaced, they largely overlook the specific role of natural resources within Eritrea’s broader developmental framework. Accordingly, this piece provides an initial, and hopefully enlightening, glance at Eritrea’s approach to both development and resources.

Without question, Africa is the world’s poorest continent, and African nations have consistently ranked lowest in the world on an array of socio-economic or devel-opment measures. These failures can be attributed to a wide-range

of factors, including historical in-fluences, socio-political dynamics, ethno linguistic or religious based divisions and rivalries, weak gov-ernance and corruption, deficient infrastructure, poor macroeconom-ic management, and debilitating external meddling.

Over the decades, the interna-tional development community, economists, and other observ-ers and analysts have offered a plethora of possible solutions, with many ending up as abject failures. Frequently, natural resources have been viewed as a proverbial magic pill, yet, if managed appropriately within a well planned and effec-tively implemented programme, resources may help establish a strong platform for sustainable de-velopment.

Dating back to its initial days of independence, Eritrea, located in the fractious Horn of Africa (HoA) region, has been raptly aware of the need for a holistic, multifacet-ed approach towards development, while being alert to the pitfalls of the resource curse. The stagna-tion, if not outright regression, in development of many countries with great natural endowments has served as a clear, sobering lesson for any developing nation with resources (consider Mobutu Sese Seko in the former Zaire or the unfortunate outcomes of the oil industry in Nigeria, particu-larly the Niger Delta). Quite early on, Eritrea outlined that its ambi-tious development programme

would focus on: the rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure; raising agricultural productivity; promoting private investment and exports; investing in education, health and nutrition; protecting the environment; and mobilizing com-munities for development.

With regard to its considerable

resources, Eritrea’s approach has been cautious, pragmatic, and one where the nation’s resources repre-sent only one component within a larger, more complex equation to-wards holistic development, rather than a simple panacea. The coun-try’s former Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) and current representative at the African Union (AU), Araya Desta, specified as-pects of the Eritrean approach, which largely champion sustain-ability, equality, and environmental friendliness, in a statement to the UN Security Council’s Thematic Open Debate on Conflict Preven-tion and Natural Resources on June 19, 2013. Desta noted that “[t]he

cardinal principle of Eritrea’s min-ing policy [is that]…all mineral resources are a public property, and that the conservation and de-velopment of these resources must be ensured for Eritrea’s present and future generations.” Furthermore, Eritrea’s National Development Strategy (2012) spells out that Eri-trea “…is aware that [its resources] are non-renewable…and they have the potential of being curses rather than blessings for societies. Focus on the mining sector often leads to ignoring more vital and sustainable sectors.” Last, the Director Gen-eral of the Department of Mines in the Eritrean Ministry of Energy and Mines, Alem Kibreab, has un-derscored that “…the mining sec-tor must be developed slowly and carefully to prevent…the resources curse.”

While Eritrea’s policies and statements toward both develop-ment and resources have been ar-ticulated and suggest pragmatism, projections about the future utiliza-tion of resources require consid-eration of Eritrea’s developmental record. Amongst the most tangible outcomes of the country’s devel-opmental efforts are its successes within health and education, es-pecially in regards to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (UN MDGs).

Frequently dismissed, over-looked, or unacknowledged inter-nationally, Eritrea has recorded positive outcomes on most of the UN MDGs. Tremendous successes have been recorded including: HIV/AIDS and TB control and reduc-tion; drastic malaria decline (de-scribed as the biggest breakthrough in malaria mortality prevention in history); massive decreases in ma-ternal and child mortality (the latter was partly the result of a 99% im-munization coverage rate that has been internationally recognized); significant improvements in gen-der equality; tangible expansions

and promotion of education; and steady progress within environ-mental sustainability.

While challenges undoubtedly remain in several areas, Eritrea’s continued national developmental efforts have also witnessed “…access to clean drinking water in rural and urban communities in Eritrea improve to a total of 85%,” progress in developing the fish-ing sector, and a growing focus on agricultural production to support food security.

The majority of these outcomes

are the fruit of cost-effective na-tional development initiatives, unique rural village and community projects (often locally led), and the Warsai Yikealo development cam-paign. Sharing parallels with Sin-gapore’s Works Brigade, which re-cruited young unemployed people, housing them and employing them within agriculture, farming and various construction or infrastruc-ture projects, the Warsai Yikealo campaign involves the participa-tion of the National Defence Force in various development projects, such as irrigation and the construc-tion of micro-dams and wells, and the concept has received interest and promotion from notable inter-national scholars.

It is within this broader, compre-hensive, multidimensional devel-opmental framework that Eritrea’s natural resources may prove use-ful; not only to accrue foreign capi-tal and strengthen the economy, but also to promote continued overall development. Despite infrastruc-tural destruction and heavy costs due to the war with Ethiopia, which continues to flout international law and illegally occupy sovereign Eri-trean territory, Eritrea’s economy has grown in recent years. With an appropriate utilization of resources within the larger national devel-

3

Blessed or Cursed? Resources and Development

The Health sector is amongst the most tangible outcomes of Eritrea’s developmental records especially in UN MDGs

Arial overview of the Bisha mining site

continued on page 8

4Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015 4

Meron Abraha

In Eritrea, where everything has a history, the dating system also follows a somehow tricky rule, at least to outsiders.

Eritreans officially stick to the Gregorian calendar (GC) but when it comes to traditional and religious holidays, the population (usually the elders) resort to the Julian calendar which boasts of 13 and not 12months like in the rest of the world.

Now according to the Julian calendar, the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month, known as Pagumien, of 5 days and 6 days in leap years (like the present year).

Coming at the end of the rainy season, Pagumien is a Greek word meaning addition, rightly refer-ring to the fact that

Eritrean tradition dictates that bathing your bodies during the Epagomenal days in any water source is vital to keep one’s health

Pagumien: A Weeklong Month … of Bathing

throughout the coming year. It is considered as cleansing one’s soul from any sins committed the past year and ensuring a healthy jour-ney throughout the coming year. Back in the old days, everyone, except for the ill and aged, bathed their bodies.

Particularly in the Eritrean highlands, women wake up early in the dawn hours to bathe in the village ponds and rivers.

The elders I consulted about the traditional significance of this

A week ago this day, I read an article by Semir Seid on the evolving nature of Eritrean dancing.

In his article Semir talked about how change or progress is inevitable and that it does appeal to the audience.

While I do concur on the general idea that routine dance patterns can get boring over time and that change is always good, I must nonetheless say that completely abandoning traditional patterns in favor of more modernized choreography is quite unwarranted.

I’m not insinuating that the writer suggested this, but from what I see in the media or public occasions, that is what seems to be happening.

Sometimes, when I watch the television or attend public events where there is a lot of dancing, I can’t help feeling like I’m watching scenes straight from a martial arts’ movie.

I remember raising this topic with a friend some years back. We were at Cinema Roma for an Independence Day show and some of the dance routines on the stage were hardly traditional. Last time

I checked, Kunama or Tigrigna dancing involved no underarm rotations for the ladies.

Anyway, whether by coincidence or my complaints were heard by some sort of a miracle, I learned that dancers in all the cultural troupes performing in public occasions were instructed to stick to the traditional ways and for the choreographers to come up with moves that are not completely detached from tradition.

Digressing from that however, what Semir failed to mention and

what I would like to underline here today is the fact that our youngsters have simply corroded the nature of dancing.

Let me share with you an episode which validated my concerns.

Not very long ago, a relative came from abroad to get married here. As culture dictates, her family hosted a big party on the eve and the dancing went on late into the night. Right before the end, the singer announced the last song before the bride and groom would enter the dance floor and so everybody, old and young, men

and women, swarmed in.

At a certain point during the dance, my father and my uncle simply stopped in the middle and I saw them simply grumbling pointing their hands towards a bunch of youngsters, barely above 20 years of age, dancing – rather slouching and doing hand gestures with the music. I learned later that my uncle, who is a bit too conservative when it comes to certain things, couldn’t simply accept their way of dancing. Apparently, older people feel the same.

“But they are having fun. And that’s what dancing is all about!” I had said back then.

“I can’t condone that! Had it been in a discothèque, I wouldn’t have minded that much. But here, in the presence of family and elders, it just isn’t right,” my uncle lashed at me.

According to him, it was as if they were dancing to a James Brown tune.

As funny as that sounds, that goes through my mind every time I see a young man dancing in that manner. And that makes me wonder if the nature of our dancing is shifting, what it will look like in the coming generations when those who should correct it are in fact the ones that are destroying it today?

Semir had said in his article that the shifting nature of our dancing is showing us that we can do so much more in the ground if we devotedly worked for it. I couldn’t agree more. We need to work devotedly to ensure that our youngsters don’t wipe out the rich cultural traditions we have. But then that’s only me. Have your say!

The Nature of Our Dancing… Shifting Too Much!

norm say that it symbolizes the cleansing of the body and soul in time for the New Year.

In old times, except the mobil-ity impaired and very old people, everybody reportedly bathed each morning during the Epagomenal days.

Melodious folksongs by the young women as they bathe or play in the meadows are abundant these days.

“Adeye abrehaley, kwerdo

mayeAdeye abrehaley, kwerdo

maye…”

Roughly translated this would go something like:

“Mother, please put the light on for me to fetch water.”

This is an allusion to St. Mary, inferring that the young women are asking St. Mary to allow them wash themselves of their sins.

The elders dancing... the proper way

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015 5

Mela Ghebremedhin

I am in my usual deep thoughts while walking around in the city of Asmara… I am thinking about the elders this time. Yes, the aging population that I see wandering in the streets of the capital. They seem lonely and at the same time full of stories to tell. I am just asking myself why this older generation is left alone. Who is supposed to take care of them?

We often hear about the development and empowerment of the youth, children and women as the main focus but rarely the case of the aging population is put on the table. However, at global level, population is aging and the African continent is not exceptional on this case. As the life expectancy is longer and will continue to grow, the conditions of living of the elders are not improving.

Surely, in Eritrean culture, the respect and care given to the elders are still part of the society’s values. Nonetheless, in urban settings, I notice that the influence of western values of individualism and self-centered lifestyle are slowly taking over the traditional ones. Not to generalize, of course, the care given to aged people remains better in Eritrea than in many other places I have lived in or visited. Conversely, as my critical mind takes over my thoughts, when I see the number of elders left alone and asking for help in the streets of the capital, my heart aches and I am wondering where have our values gone? Why did the older generation put their dignity aside to ask for help?

Although the young generation is also growing; simultaneously,

the living conditions of the aging population is not becoming any easier. As written in the report by the African Development Bank, The Aging Population Challenges in Africa (2011), what goes with the aging population is increasing chronic conditions, disabilities and dependency. As a matter of fact, in 2010, 36 million elderly people aged 65 years and above accounted for 3.6% of Africa’s population and statistics estimate that the aging population will accelerate between 2010 and 2030 and could account to about 10% of the population by 2050 (UN DESA, 2011). Thus, sooner or later, the elderly people would be as many as in the developed world. Nonetheless, the care given to the elders remains low compared to the richer countries. What is the reason behind?

Although most care are given informally by family members, the responsibility towards the older generation is not perceived as significant to the younger one but also policy making decisions. Indeed, policy makers have to face multiple challenges and implementing effective social services demands time and financial stability of one’s country. The latter explains the reason why the aged people are invisible to policy makers in the so-called ‘Global South’.

In addition to the changing values impacted by the globalization process; youth are facing multiple challenges and struggling to find their place and catch up with rising competition. In other words, younger generation or the working group aged 16-64 have to overcome many challenges from education to employment, where jobs are no longer secured and where family

structures are shifting. As a result, the situation of the aged population becomes secondary to them.

Further, Eritrea as a young nation focuses primarily on the youth. Besides the well-being of women and children, youth is primary in any policy decisions or development programs. As I remember a meeting I had with the Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Eritrea, last year, one challenge he mentioned is the situation of the elderly people in the country. The lack of appropriate geriatric establishments would need to be closely looked at in the coming years. Certainly, as the aging population grows, the fertility rate is decreasing worldwide and also in Eritrea. In fact, with development and decrease in mortality rate at birth, Eritrean families are becoming smaller especially among those urban dwellers. Moreover, women are increasingly professionally active which also impacts on the decision

to have two children rather than four or five. The ‘spill over’ effect is, thus, evident that with an aging population and a decrease in number of children born, the population ratio between active and aged population is shrinking.

Accordingly, aging population means additional care. It is clear that, often, longevity results in disability, chronic diseases or dementia. Sadly, the older population is facing multiple health-related issues with Alzheimer’s as the most common neurological disease while chronic disease such as diabetes, heart or respiratory failures and also cancers hit in majority the elderly people. The increased health conditions are influencing the economic situation of the entire household while the need for care increases simultaneously. As a result, the aging population becomes, both economically and socially, a burden to the family and the society. Furthermore, movements are restricted with increasing disability, which reduces their access to facilities.

As the living conditions of elderly-headed households are facing an increasing prevalence to poverty, how could we tackle the situation of our elders in Eritrea? Clearly, awareness campaign on the importance of keeping traditional values towards our elders would need to be enhanced through the media, workshops in educational institutions, national associations and local communities.

Secondly, as development programs such as the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs) fails to include the aging population as one of the sector to develop. Therefore, international organizations such as the UN Development Program (UNDP) should include the aging population within their programs and financial support to this growing part of the population. Policy makers and Ministries of Health, Human Welfare and Labor and others concerned government bodies would also have to enhance their ongoing work on this matter.

Certainly, the establishment of appropriate geriatric institutions, home care and nursing to both urban and rural areas but also offering pension insurance would respond to the actual situation of the elders and especially to those left alone. Having clear programs would also tackle any abuses towards the elderly through a system of monitoring and evaluation.

It is not only about building the institutions to take care of our grandparents but also to acknowledge the huge part they have in our society. If the living conditions and care given to the elders are improved; ‘getting old’ could only mean having a full, happy, active, wealthy, well-deserved life after years of hard work.

As a passionate of history, I believe that the best way to learn history is by listening to those who made history through their life experience. As I am still walking around the city, I just wish my grandparents were still part of our world so I could get to listen to our family’s history…

Our Elderly People… The Things We Do or Don’t For Them

6Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015

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1. Airport Services Supervisor

The Airport Services Supervisor (ASVR) oversees and coordinates the activities of Air-port Services agents and appointed Ground Handler to ensure consistent delivery of high quality service to flydubai passengers in respect of check-in, boarding, special services, ramp operations and baggage services.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key ActivitiesOrganise allocation of agents to check-in, Departures/Transfer, Ramp or Arrivals •

on a rotating basis and provide briefings on a shift by shift basis.Set up check-in area and ensure correct allocation of desks, manpower and other •

resources, monitoring activities of FZ and Ground Handling Agents (GHA).Monitor passenger flow and queue times providing assistance and adjusting desk •

allocation as required, including liaison with immigration, Security and Airport terminal management.

Ensure proper enforcement of flight opening/closure times, baggage policies, Cred-•it Checks and documentation requirements.

Provide assistance and information to passengers and stakeholders as necessary.•Assist passenger progress through security, immigration and transfer areas and as-•

sist with baggage and flight connections.Ensure safe passenger embarkation and disembarkation processes and monitor •

turn-round handling and baggage handling activities within company/regulatory safety and security guidelines.

Assist passenger arrivals and baggage reclaim process and offer any assistance as •necessary.

Liaise with all stakeholders and assist passengers in case of delays or disruption.•Monitor, investigate and report any irregularities and identify & implement solu-•

tions.Coach and mentor junior staff appropriately – leading by example•

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS Minimum Qualification

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.•Excellent written and verbal command of the English Language.•

Experience 5+ years’ experience in a customer service related role.•3+ years of experience in airline passenger and baggage handling.•

Knowledge / skills Proficiency in Verbal/Written Arabic language an advantage.•

CORE COMPETENCIESDecision making•Teamwork•Leadership•Initiative & Commitment•Decision making•Airport Services Coordinator1.

The Airport Services Coordinator oversees the appointed Ground Handler to ensure con-sistent delivery of high quality service to flydubai passengers in respect of check-in, board-ing, special services, ramp operations and baggage services. Applying the company’s com-mercial and safety standards and procedures, the ASC is the front line interface with pas-sengers and will assist in the smooth and efficient processing of all passengers.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Activities Agents will be assigned to check-in, Departures/Transfer, Ramp or Arrivals on a •

rotating basis.Set up check-in area and ensure correct allocation of desks, manpower and other •

resourcesMonitor passenger flow and queue times providing assistance and adjusting desk •

allocation as required.Ensure proper enforcement of flight opening/closure times, baggage policies, Cred-•

it Checks and documentation requirements.Provide assistance and information to passengers and stakeholders as necessary•Ensure timely commencement and close out of boarding process•Assist passenger progress through security, immigration and transfer areas and as-•

sist with baggage and flight connectionsEnsure safe passenger embarkation and disembarkation processes and monitor •

turn-round handling and baggage handling activities within company/regulatory safety and security guidelines

Assist passenger arrivals and baggage reclaim process and offer any assistance as •necessary

Liaise with all stakeholders and assist passengers in case of delays or disruption•

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

Minimum Qualification

High School Level or equivalent basic education•Proficiency in spoken and written English. Command over spoken and written Ara-•

bic preferableExperience

2+ years of experience in a customer service related role•Knowledge / skills

Knowledge of airline passenger and baggage handling preferred•Proficiency in Verbal/Written Arabic language and advantage•

CORE COMPETENCIESCustomer Service Orientation •Teamwork •Effective Communication •Organising for Results•Customer Service Orientation •

3. Sales SupervisorTo supervise the team of Sales Agents and services all customers visiting flydubai sales

shops, explain and promote flydubai product, train the team KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Key Activities

1. Supervising the team of Sales Agents, Cashiers, compiling shifts, arranging system training 2. Acting as shift team leader making sure attendance and quality levels are met by all sales agents 3. Training all new and existing Sales Agents for flydubai product and offers. 4. Ensure all reports are compiled by shift and submit-ted to retail manager or finance departments for processing 5. Providing customers with all information about flydubai flights, schedules, prod-uct, terms and conditions. Guiding customers on destinations flydubai operates to. 6. Making new bookings, modifying existing book-ings, issuing tickets on flydubai flights as per customer request 7. Selling ancillary products provided by flydubai to custom-ers visiting flydubai sales shop such as Insurance, Hotel, Rent-a-car etc 8. Handling of Commercial visa process which involves valida-tion of visa application details submitted by the passengers/agents 9. Submitting daily sales reports to Retail Manager 10. Prepare periodic/adhoc reports for use by commercial department 11. Co-ordinate with Agency support, Reserva-tion support or airport services as and when required. 12. Updating OK to board message on Radixx and stamping the visa copy as per government regulations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERI-ENCE/ KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

Minimum Qualification

• High School diploma • A diploma or certification in airline ticketing/travel management or IATA diploma will be an advantage

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working for an airline or travel agency in a ticketing role • Experience as a Team Leader / Supervisor essential

Additional Requirements

• Proficiency in Verbal/Written Arabic language an advantage • Excellent written and verbal command of the English Language

CORE COMPETENCIES • Attention to Detail and Quality

• Customer Service Orientation • T e a m w o r k • Organising for Results • Effective Communication • Decision Making

4. Sales agents × 2

To promote and sell the flydubai product in the sales shop whilst ensuring a high level of customer service is maintained.

ADS

7Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Key Activities

Providing customers with information about fly-1. dubai flights, schedules, product, terms and conditions 2. Guiding customers on destinations flydubai operates to 3. Making new bookings, modifying existing book-ings, issuing tickets on flydubai flights as per customer request 4. Selling ancillary products provided by flydubai to customers visit-ing flydubai sales shop such as UAE visa, Insurance, Hotel, Rent-a-car etc 5. Collecting cash or other form of payments and prop-erly reporting these to supervisor and/or retail manager 6. Handling of Commercial visa process which involves valida-tion of visa application details submitted by the passengers/agents 7. Handling visa deposit refunds to passengers as per requirement 8. Submitting daily sales reports to Supervisor and/or Retail Manager 9. Prepare periodic/adhoc reports for use by commercial department 10. Rebooking passengers affected by flight disruptions or cancellations 11. Co-ordinate with agency support, reservation support or airport services as and when required 12. Updating ‘OK to board’ message on Radixx and stamping the visa copy as per govern-ment regulations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPE-•

RIENCE/ KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

Minimum Qualification•

• High School diploma • A diploma or certification in airline ticketing/travel management or IATA diploma will be an advantage

Experience•

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working for an airline or travel agency in a ticketing role

Additional Requirements•

• Fluent in spoken English is essential • Spoken Arabic is advantageous

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Attention to Detail and Quality • Customer Service Orientation • Teamwork • Organising for Results • Effective Communication5. Executive Secretary

Key ActivitiesAssist Area Manager in the day to day activities promoting high standards of communica-

tion.Executive Secretary will be responsible for different administrative functions to support

the efficient running of the station.Qualifications

Graduate level with excellent English language communication skills.•Worked as a secretary with international company/organization for at least 4 •

years.Knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage.•

Ticketing and Reservations Supervisor

Key ActivitiesThe candidate will plan, supervise and support reservations staff to achieve high level of

customer satisfaction.

Minimum Qualification / Experience / KnowledgeExcellent organizational skills and encourage team work.•Excellent Knowledge in Amadeus reservation and ticketing procedures.•Minimum 2 years experience within the Airline Industry.•

Candidates should provide evidence of completion /exemption from national service which is mandatory .Copy of card/exemption must be attached.

Clearance paper from current or last employer.•Only qualified candidates will be short listed and invited for the interview.•Deadline for applications is 10days from the day of publications in the newspa-•

per.Applicants can send a recent CV and Copies of the academic testimonials with full con-

tact address in sealed envelope addressed to:flydubaiP.O.box 1124 Asmara Eritrea or Department of Labour and Human Welfare / Employment Services Central Zone As-

mara

ADS

Vacancy AnnouncementsBoart Longyear isa 125-year-old global mineral exploration drilling company that provides drilling services

and products for the global mining industry.We are expanding in Eritrea and are looking for highly motivatedDriller Assistant/Driversto work with our

local and international drilling teams on projects within Eritrea. We are looking for people with a positive attitude, and are willing to learn and follow instructions, and want to become a part of our Eritrean team.

Driller Assistant/Driver (Ten)The key roles and responsibilities include:

Be physically fit for work•Work under instructions of a driller or drilling field supervisor. Daily routine work is accomplished •

with more or less direction depending on the competency level.Perform without supervision tasks for which competency has been assessed and perform other re-•

quired tasks under supervision. Apply Boart Longyear standard work procedures.Work safely and follow EHS policies and procedures and conduct local risk control•Have the ability to apply first aid•Load, secure and unload drilling equipment and materials•Set up/pack up drill site•Support the drilling operations: handle rods and drilling tools, collect and handle samples, mix drill-•

ing fluids, carry out basic maintenance of tools and equipment, housekeeping, supplies count, perform basic measurement and calculations, carry out basic operator maintenance, complete pre-start checks, refuel vehicles and plant.

May be required to operate non-drilling equipment such as light or heavy vehicles, cranes, telehan-•dlers, forklift, skidders, track-mounted utility vehicles, etc.

Communicate in the workplace and work effectively with others•Provide training through instruction and demonstration of work skills, coaching and mentoring to •

newer field employeesActively pursue competency assigned in training plan•Must be able to drive•

Position Qualifications:Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent.•Sufficient language, literacy and numeracy skills to perform all job-related tasks•Experience and skills in the drilling industry or related industry involving mechanical equipment and •

outdoor operations is preferred.Must have a valid driving licence preferably • GradeIII

Mode of ApplicationIf you feel you are the ideal candidate for any of these positions, please send your English resume with contact

details, certificates, and cover letter including two referees to:Email Address:lemlem.hailemariam@boartlongyear.com or elizabeth.asfaha@boartlongyear.comPostal Address: P.O.Box 7721, Asmara, Eritrea Physical Address: Boart Longyear Eritrea Ltd. Alfa Romeo, Deb Mbr 01 St. 171-5, No 4 Asmara, Eritrea.

For Eritrean applicants, please send a copy of your application to:Aliense Employment Unit,P.O.Box 7940Asmara, Eritrea

The application deadline is 14 days from the date of publication. Please provideevidence ofcompletion or exemption from National Service and release letter from your current/last employer

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

STATE OF ERITREA

Catchment and Landscape Management Project (CLMP/GEF)

Invitation for Consultant to undertake Environmental Impact Assessment.

The Government of Eritrea (GoSE) has received a grant from CLMP/GEF/IFAD. Partial of this grant will be used to undertake Environmental Impact Assessment on the six baseline villages (Forto, Gergef and Dassie in Zoba Gash Barka, Durko Sub Zoba Emnihaili, Adiabagie Sub Zoba Maimne and Warsay Dam Catchment in Zoba Debub).

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) invites a qualified consultant to undertake Environmental Impact Assess-ment for the above mentioned locations.

The request for proposal (RFP) is a two stage envelope system, whereby the technical & financial proposals will be prepared separately. Interested Bidders are requested a renewed license for the year 2013/2014.

To this effect, interested and eligible National Consultants are invited to participate in this bid and can collect the bid document including TOR from the office of Procurement and Supplies Management Unit (PSMU) of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The closing date of submission of proposals will be on October 06/2015 at 14:30 PM local time hours and opening on the same will be on October 06/2015 at 15:00 PM local time hours in the office of Procurement and Supplies Management Unit (PSMU) of the Ministry of Agriculture,Tel:181076/77,Fax:181415,P.O.Box:1048,Sawastreet,Gejeret Headoffice in presence of the bidders or their representatives who wish to attend.

The Ministry of Agriculture reserves the right to reject any or all proposals without needing to justify of the ground for such action.

MINISTRY O AGRICULTURE

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 9 september, 2015 8

*How or why did you choose to entitle your book, ‘Kewakbti Midiri,’ (loosely translated as ‘The Earths Luminaries’)?

Throughout the 221-page book, I have attempted to focus on inspiring youths, particularly those who speak deeply and profoundly. As clearly reflected within the introductory chapters, those who are effective in helping you maximize or exploit your talents are important within your journey or path. They can be characterized as ‘stars,’ and, they deserve appreciation for acting as a leading light.

*As I have read it, the tone of the words and the language proficiency of the characters are not always easily understood. What accounts for such difficulties?

The feedback and comments about this book are split between two poles; there are those who are thankful for its narration, while others are less enamored with it.

*But then again, simplicity in language is vital for winning readers attention, no?

The characters travel upon the less travelled path for communicating with one another. For example, Sinit

attempts to philosophize deeply, Samrawit seeks to capture the ordinary events of life, and Bereket, as a father, provokes positive enforcement for motivating his daughter.

Thus, until the characters discuss the power of ideas, dreams, personalities, romantic affairs, etc., it seems right to focus on the complex dialogue or words. The ideas, by themselves, are also complex for ordinary readers.

*On page 129 you attempt to reflect divergent ideas on how societies perceive the world. What is your core idea in this regard?

The character there rejects creating excuses for failure in one’s life. Escaping from narrow intellectual confines and engaging with broader frames of thinking or discourses is important. On page 59, there are lines about a young individual who underscores that education is only a starting point. Accordingly, he starts taking practical actions to transform his dream.

As he states, ‘our world is not only awarded with one summer season.’ Therefore, it is not logical to accuse the world of posing obstacles or barriers while there are much more

hidden treasures.

*Yet again, on page 97, there is a main character who comments about the literary topics discussed earlier. Can you further clarify on the comments?

Unreservedly, I am supporter of what the character has described. Even while there has been progress on the number of books published in recent years, we still have a considerable ways to go with regard to the publication industry.

*The issue of being talented or untalented arises within your book. What are the central messages of such that you attempt to convey?

When I was in elementary school, I was an active participant in the annual closing ceremonies and celebrations. I was certain about my limited talents, which motivated me to write, sing and craft articles.

Therefore, the difference, in one quote, between the talented and the untalented, is that those who are gifted may exert less time, energy

and means, while the rest face sleepless days and nights to achieve such dreams.

*I agree, and to build on that, your main character, sinit, pursues philosophical aspects. Are you deeply interested in philosophy?

I am afraid I am generalizing, but yes. However, my book is not entirely devoted to honor philosophical discussions among readers. Rather, it is more about social and romantic engagement. But then again, I am positive about the significance of sometimes asking why are we here in this world, and what is the purpose of life, among other philosophical questions.

*Overall, what is your aim in writing books? As well, our publishing industries, in addition to their positive roles, may challenge new or young authors…what has been your experience?

It is all about your readiness and strength. I just invite society to see my world, and to offer comments and constructive criticism. Is it

The Struggle for Philosophic Literature

boring? Appealing? Inspiring or gloomy? Those are the questions that I am posing.

And in regard to the publishing industries, I look at it as a single matter. There are many factors involved. I expect the number of current readers to increase, in addition to other topics that need immediate attention. In fact, in our society and culture, it is undeniable that selling books is much more challenging than writing. But, assuredly, in my opinion, this will be history in the near future.

2014 was a great year for Eritrean authors. Among the notable literary contributions was ‘Kewakbti Midri,’ a book by Haileab Assefaw. He joins us today to discuss his book, as well as general literary production.

Yosief Z. Abraham

opment strategy, Eritrea’s mining sector will play a beneficial role moving forward (e.g. through help-ing to fund infrastructure projects or investments in other areas).

While examples of the dangers of the resource curse and misman-agement are readily found across the developing world, Eritrea’s leadership has long reiterated that its resources will be utilized for the benefit of current and future gen-erations. In addition, Eritrea will remain committed to providing a comprehensive “…environment for growth…” based on enhancing human capital and infrastructure, with the ultimate aim of improving the quality of life for the people.” In regard to fears of resource mis-management, the African Develop-ment Bank Group (AfDB) has pre-viously noted Eritrea’s “...relative-ly low levels of corruption,” while former United States (US) Con-

gressman and law professor, Tom Campbell, has described Eritrea’s “…reputation for honesty and low levels of corruption” as being one reason (among others) to believe in the country’s investment potential. Finally, the Pool Nielson EU Com-missioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid mentions that Eritrea’s “corruption free culture” remains its biggest asset.

Overall, Eritrea has witnessed several tangible developmental out-comes, especially within the socio-economic, health, and educational sectors, with the country’s natural resources both playing a positive role in and holding the potential to further augment these outcomes. At the same time, Eritrea faces a range of considerable challenges. Water and sanitation, food security, and poverty are immediate areas of attention, while the prolonged il-legal occupation of Eritrean land by Ethiopia represents an unneces-sary and harmful distraction from

broader development goals.

Moving forward, it will also be vital for Eritrea to diversify, adding to or moving away from potentially unstable primary products. Manu-facturing is essential to sustained growth and development, and with rapid technical change and global-ization, it is an increasingly im-portant means of modernizing and diversifying the economic base. In this regard, Eritrea’s focus on and growing investments within educa-tion and human capital are critical as they can help hone the skills and capabilities required to com-pete and thrive within fierce global markets.

Last, the international commu-nity should remain constructively involved in and supportive of Eri-trea’s developmental efforts, pro-mote the respect of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and generally support peace, coop-eration, and stability in the region.

Blessed or Cursed? ...continued from page 3