Representatives from the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM/EPRDF) and the Ethiopian Democratic Unity Party (EDUP-Medhin) presented their respective agendas at the half-day political debate organized by the Inter Africa Group, a non-governmental organization.

ANDM representatives reiterated that ANDM/EPRDF enabled the public to directly benefit from multifaceted development achievements registered in the state in education, health, agriculture, road and other development sectors owing to the sound and feasible polices and strategies.

The incumbent government is able to boost the primary education service coverage of the state to 99.5 percent to date which was blow 20 percent some ten years ago, they said, adding the health service coverage of the regional state also reaches more than 93 percent.

Remarkable achievements also registered in the agriculture sector through the agriculture development-led policy of the government during the last five years to the extent that local farmers were awarded for eradicating poverty and amassing immense property, according to ANDM representatives.

ANDM representatives noted that the government launched housing development projects in urban areas and enabled the youth launch petty trades with a view to curbing the problem of unemployment.

Moreover, ANDM/EPRDF undertaken extensive work on expansion of infrastructure like road, telephone and electric power services both in towns and rural localities of the region during the last few years, they said, adding the party is striving to curb the escalating cost of living in the state.

Representatives of the EDUP-Medhin on the other hand said even if the party gains seats in the upcoming local and national by-elections, the party will not introduce new development agenda rather than implementing the polices and strategies of the incumbent government until the party forms its own government in the future winning national elections.

Though the response came late, the salary increment made for civil servants as per the request of EDUP-Medhin is one of the victories of the party.

They also said EDUP-Medhin would continue playing its level best toward the overall development of the nation in the future through putting pressure toward curbing the existing socio-economic problems of the country while commending the achievements of the incumbent government.

Bahir Dar City dwellers, who attended the debate, told ENA that the political debate enabled them to identify the political party they want to cast votes for in the upcoming elections.

R-3:42-4:39 pm

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