Bio
Studying for a PhD in Management, Specialization in Organizational Leadership Walden University, USA
MBA in Business Administration, Specialization in Operation Management, Indra Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India, October, 2008
BSc in Civil Engineering, Addis Ababa Faculty of Technology, 1993-1998
ICT: MS-DOS, Microsoft Word, MS- Excel, Publisher, AutoCAD, SPSS
Languages: Amharic, English, Kaffigna
Information
Membership of Professional Societies & Certification
Member of the Ethiopian Civil Engineers Association, Addis Ababa
Certified Professional Engineer MoUDHC
Certified Practicing Professional Construction Management
Key Qualifications
I am a competent leader, engineer and management professional with proven educational records and tested practical experience. My more than 16 years professional experience proceeds from humble beginnings as a junior engineer to a leadership role, starting as a zonal/regional bureau head to a position of State Minister for the Housing and Construction sector in the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction. I am very much conversant in the areas of practical project management and policy issues with regards to the construction industry, having taken a leading role in works involving high-level local and international expertise.
In my time as a state minister, I have led the national effort to bring Ethiopian design standards up to the international level. Among other things, I have worked vigorously to bring out the voice of professional associations in licensing of professionals; led the effort to develop a national database of construction professionals and contractors; led the national effort to streamline costing of construction projects; led the effort to revamp the licensing of civil engineering contractors and consultants; led the effort to bring a nationwide conversation on the challenges of the construction sector in Ethiopia; led the effort to assist the government’s policy of providing affordable housing schemes; and led the study to understand the housing challenges in Ethiopia and introduce pertinent technology in the housing construction sector.
In many instances I have served as a national panelist and voice in regards to the issues of the construction sector of the country.
In addition to policy issues, I was also engaged in supervisory work of mega government financed office building complexes, housing projects at sugar plantations, the nation’s pioneer industrial zones, university construction, and was leading the nation’s effort to build big stadiums in regional towns.
While serving as a state minister I was also serving as a board chairman of five big government-owned organizations and am also serving as board member in another five companies.
My experience also involves contract administration, construction supervision, capacity building work and design.
I am a dynamic person who strives for excellence. My ability to upgrade myself while in a multifaceted challenging assignment corroborates my ability to deliver in any demanding situation.
Employment History
Oct 18, 2010 – Oct 1, 2015
Employer: Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation
Position: CEO
Main responsibilities include:
- To engage in domestic and overseas construction works as a contractor in construction, upgrading and maintenance of roads, bridges, works relating to dams, irrigation, hydropower generation, water supply systems, sewerage systems, drainage, deep water wells, reclamations, river diversions, construction of buildings, airfields, railways, ports and other civil works.
- To engage in the assembling of construction equipments and machineries, manufacturing spare parts and provide maintenance service for construction equipment and machinery and produce construction materials and different kinds of pipes necessary for its activities and sell them as may be appropriate.
- To acquire, own and administer irrigation dams, deep water wells and as may be necessary water supply canals constructed and to be constructed by the federal government budget and collect charges from the beneficiaries of such dams.
- To engage in the rental business of construction equipment, machinery, warehouse and buildings.
- To produce qualified human resources with required discipline, number and quality for the corporation by using its own training facilities or work in co-ordination with relevant domestic or international research, educational and training institutions.
- To make studies and forward proposals in line with directions given by the Ministry of Public Enterprises to get financial, technological and modern administrative inputs (including attracting investment or to engage in investment) to be competitive and profitable in domestic and overseas works.
- To sell and pledge bonds and to negotiate and sign loan agreements with local and international financial sources in line with the directive issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Co-operation and in accordance with policy direction given by Ministry of Public Enterprises.
- To undertake any other related activities necessary for the attainment of its purposes.
Oct 18, 2010 – Oct 14, 2015
Employer: Ministry of Urban Development, Housing and Construction
Position: Minister of State
Main responsibilities include:
- Ensure studies relating to urbanization, and set criteria for grading urban centers.
- Provide all-round and coordinated support to urban centers to make them development centers capable of influencing their surroundings.
- Provide capacity-building support to urban centers to improve their service delivery; and where necessary, organize training and research centers in the field of urban development.
- In cooperation with regional states, undertake studies for the integration of urban and rural development activities; assist and follow-up the implementation of same.
- Follow up the activities of city administrations accountable to the federal government.
- Undertake studies for setting general directions for urban dwellers to build residential houses compatible with their own means; provide capacity building support to urban centers for the implementation of same.
- Undertake studies for the integration of urban development with poverty reduction activities, and support the implementation of same.
- Promote the expansion of micro and small enterprises.
- Set and follow up the compliance of standards for construction works.
- Create conducive conditions for the development of internationally competitive construction industry.
- Provide necessary support in the preparation of designs and contract documents for, and in the supervision of, building construction financed by the federal government.
- Register and issue certificates of professional competence to engineers and architects; determine the grades of contractors and consultants, and issue certificates of competence to those operating in more than one regional states.
- Undertake research for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure the proper administration of houses owned by the federal government.
July 14, 2010 – Oct 18, 2010
Employer: Construction Design Share Company
Position: Deputy CEO Road Sector
Main responsibilities include:
- Planning, feasibility studies, detail project preparation, preliminary and detailed design, construction supervision, project management.
- Reconnaissance and socioeconomic studies.
- Traffic volume studies.
- Hydraulic and drainage studies.
- Photogrammetric and hydrological studies.
- Detailed topographic and location surveys.
- Pavement design.
- Highway design.
- Bridges major and minor structures design.
- Detail specifications, measurement of quantities and engineering cost estimation and tender document.
- Material inspection, sampling and testing.
- Construction supervision services to suit the nature of the project based on the general and particular conditions of contract, as well as the local conditions and ensure careful monitoring of construction.
Dec 11, 2007 – July 14, 2010
Employer: Ministry of Works and Urban Development
Position: Managing Director for Federal Government Construction
Main responsibilities include:
- Administering federal office construction projects.
- Planning office construction demand at federal level.
- Design preparation, review and adaptation as needed.
- Follow-ups of the sites under construction.
- Fixing of costs to contract award.
- Evaluating the performance of sites under construction.
- Giving assignment of consulting firms to undertake supervision.
- Managing bulk purchase of construction materials like cement and re-bar.
Additional assignments:
- Lead fixed cost price preparation for 891 health center projects [MOH].
- Lead fixed price preparation for tele-mobile civil construction, except Addis Ababa and its surroundings; most of the country area covered with mobile cell with this project; more than 2,580 mobile tower spots built with this project which I am leading preparation of FP.
- Involved as steering committee for mobile project implementation on behalf of Ministry of Works & Urban Development.
February 19, 2007 – February 18, 2008
Employer: GTZ-International Services
Position: Regional Site Manager GTZ-IS Health Center Project, Hawasa
Worked as a manager for six operational zones of health center projects in SNNPR, Oromia and Somali region. Duties included:
- Liaison with regional offices.
- Planning.
- Contract administration and payment approval.
- Construction supervision.
- Construction quality control.
- Design works.
- Progress reporting.
Total project cost then was around 100 million birr. Apart from leading different zones I worked as Supervisor of 11 health center sites which were model leadership and project management for the entire national project regions.
Dec 1, 2006 – February 19, 2007
Employer: SNNPR Bureau of Works & Urban Development
Position: Deputy Bureau Head of Construction Sector, Hawasa
I have worked as a deputy bureau head managing the construction wing of bureau. Among other things my roles included:
- Ensuring the construction activities in the region conform to acceptable standard.
- Promote the standardization of design processes and practices.
- Ensure proper contract administration practices are followed.
- Ensure studies are made for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure cost competence is maintained in construction projects in the region.
- Ensure construction projects procurement processes comply to national procurement guidelines.
- Advise the regional government in all matters pertaining to construction works.
October 11, 2005 – Dec 1, 2006
Employer: SNNPR Bureau of Construction
Position: Deputy Bureau Head/Construction Sector
I have worked as a deputy bureau head. Among other things my roles included:
- Ensuring the construction activities in the region conform to acceptable standard.
- Promote the standardization of design processes and practices.
- Ensure proper contract administration practices are followed.
- Ensure studies are made for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure cost competence is maintained in construction projects in the region.
- Ensure construction projects procurement processes comply to national procurement guidelines.
- Advise the regional government in all matters pertaining to construction works.
November 10, 2001 – October 11, 2005
Employer: SNNPR Bureau of Construction & Design Authority
Position: Managing Director
I have worked as a managing director of a regional bureau mandated for overseeing the construction industry in the region. Among other things my roles included:
- Planning, organizing, directing, controlling and supervising the overall activities of the office.
- Providing general policies, guidelines, procedures and rules for the functional units.
- Approving work programs.
- Maintaining programs and ensuring successful and efficient management.
- Ensure efficient fund and asset utilization.
- Ensure efficient communication with stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership on the project.
- Ensuring the construction activities in the region conform to acceptable standard.
- Promote the standardization of design processes and practices.
- Ensure proper contract administration practices are followed.
- Ensure studies are made for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure cost competence is maintained in construction projects in the region.
- Ensure construction projects procurement processes comply to national procurement guidelines.
- Advise the regional government in all matters pertaining to construction works.
November 10, 2000 – November 10, 2001
Employer: Kaffa Zone Works & Urban Development
Position: Head of Department
I have worked as a department head of zonal office mandated for overseeing the construction industry in the Kaffa Zone. Among other things my roles included:
- Provide technical leadership on the project.
- Ensuring the construction activities in the region conform to acceptable standard.
- Promote the standardization of design processes and practices.
- Ensure proper contract administration practices are followed.
- Ensure studies are made for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure cost competence is maintained in construction projects in the region.
- Ensure construction projects procurement processes comply to national procurement guidelines.
- Advise the regional government in all matters pertaining to construction works.
March 1, 1999 – November 10, 2000
Employer: Kaffa-Sheka Zone Works & Urban Development
Position: Department Head
I have worked as a department head of zonal office mandated for overseeing the construction industry in Kaffa Zone. Among other things my roles included:
- Provide technical leadership on the project.
- Ensuring the construction activities in the region conform to acceptable standard.
- Promote the standardization of design processes and practices.
- Ensure proper contract administration practices are followed.
- Ensure studies are made for improving the types and qualities of local construction materials.
- Ensure cost competence is maintained in construction projects in the region.
- Ensure construction projects procurement processes comply to national procurement guidelines.
- Advise the regional government in all matters pertaining to construction works.
August 18, 1999 – March 1, 1999
Employer: Kaffa-Sheka Zone Works & Urban Development
Position: Design Expert
Worked as design expert in designing, design checking and approval of civil engineering works in the former Kaffa-Sheka zone. Duties and responsibilities:
- Structural design preparation for different governmental and non-governmental projects.
- Preparation of bill of quantity, specification, tender document and contract document.
- Preparation and checking of payment certificate.
- Project manager for all labor-based roads projects.
Other Leadership Roles
Board Chairmanship & Membership Duties and responsibilities:
- Decide on policy issues other than those to be submitted to the supervisory authority.
- Appoint and dismiss the general manager of the enterprise and fix his salary allowance.
- Approve the employment assignment and dismissal of those officers of the enterprise accountable to the general manager including their salaries and allowances.
- Approve the internal regulations of the enterprise as well as its work program and budget.
- Approve long-term loans and credits of the enterprise.
- Approve the sale of fixed assets that may not affect the existence of the enterprise.
- Ensure the proper books of accounts are kept for the enterprise.
Board Chairmanship
1.- Board Chairman for Chemical Industry Corporation
Since June 26, 2013 – till now
Specific objectives of CIC:
- To manufacture and market fertilizers, rubber tree products, cement and other chemical products and by-products.
- To sell its products and by-products in the domestic and export markets.
- To cause the undertaking of research and development, feasibility studies, design preparation, technology selection and negotiation, erection and commissioning of new chemical development and expansion projects.
- In cooperation with capable domestic enterprises, to cause the designing and fabrication of machineries and spare parts required by public chemical factories.
- To cooperate with the concerned educational institutions in producing the required type, number and quality of trained manpower for chemical industry.
- In line with the directive and policy guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, to sell and pledge bonds and to negotiate and sign loan agreements with local and international financial sources.
2.- Board Chairman for Transport Construction Design Share Company
Since July 27 – till now
Specific objectives of TCDSco:
- To conduct feasibility studies (and research) in the field of roads, bridges, airfields, railways constructions and related civil engineering works.
- To carry out engineering surveys and design pertaining to transport construction and related civil engineering works.
- To render consultancy services regarding the preparation of bid and contract documents, and selection of contractors concerning to transport construction and related civil engineering works.
- To render consultancy services of contract administration and construction supervision pertaining to transport construction and related civil engineering.
- To undertake geo-technical investigation, foundation engineering, drilling of wells and render professional services of laboratory testing.
3.- Board Chairman for Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise
Since February 24th 2011 – till now
Specific objectives of WWDSE:
- To conduct studies pertaining to hydraulics, dams, irrigation, water supply, industry, sewerage disposal water works and basin development master plans.
- To carryout surveys, designs and specifications regarding hydraulics, hydropower, geotechnic, dam and irrigation structures, flood control, water supply, sewerage disposal and other related works.
- To render consultancy services regarding contract administration and supervision pertaining to water works.
- To render consultancy services regarding water works studies and design evaluations.
- To render services regarding the preparation of bid and contract documents, and selection of contracts concerning water works.
4.- Board Chairman for Prefabricated Building Parts Production Enterprise
Since January 21, 2011- till now
Specific objectives of PBPPE:
- To produce and sell prefabricated building parts made from concrete.
- To give service in the erection of the prefabricated building parts.
- To engage in any other related activities conducive for the attainment of its objectives.
Board Membership
1.- Board member of the Industry Park Development Corporation
November 19, 2013 – November 20, 2014
2.- Board member of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
Since November 19, 2010 – till now
Key pillars objectives of the university:
- Delivering the highest quality education and training in science and technology and graduating fully capable engineers who can design, manage and execute any endeavors in their area of specialty with professional ethics and conduct (creating the leaders of tomorrow).
- Education and training systems fully integrated and augmented by relevant research.
- Delivering comprehensive science and technology programs; keeping the national demand on prioritizing the introduction and hence launching of the programs.
- Serving as a centre of excellence for science and technology.
- Setting high national standards that meet international standard for the targeted disciplines.
- Building the managerial and technical capacity of manufacturing and other industries.
- Serving as a model of good governance and community services delivery.
3.- Board member for Defense Construction Enterprise
Since September 2, 2013 – till now
- To engage in any construction activity mainly to satisfy the national defense construction needs.
- In parallel, to engage in the construction of roads, dams, irrigation, infrastructures, buildings and other construction works in the country.
- To engage in any other related activities necessary to the attainment of its purpose.
4.- Member of the National Standard Council
Since June 2nd, 2013 – till now
National Standardization Council’s key role:
- The Ethiopian National Standardization Council has been setup by the government and has been drawn from the pertinent government organization and other body. The council has a close working relationship with the Ethiopian Standard Agency (ESA) in its endeavors and it is the higher body which approves the national quality and standardization strategy proposed by the agency. In addition, the council determines products for the use of national standard mark and also approves mandatory standard requirements which are proposed by the respective national technical committee on certain products and service standards that are to be regulated for safety, health, environmental and national security.
5.- Board member of the Hotel Development Association
Since June 1, 2011 – till now
6.- Board Member of SNNPR Water Construction Enterprise
May 15, 2006 – February 19, 2007
7.- Board member of the Rural Road Construction Authority
May 15, 2006 – February 19, 2007
Chairman of Joint Committee for preparation of integrated housing project, from August, 2006 November 2007:
- Worked as a coordinator for a technical team consisting more than 20 senior regional experts organized to produce design documents for housing, SME & youth-focused development.
- Involved in selection of appropriate site for design of cost-efficient houses, small & micro enterprises; youth center.
- Coordinated and participated in a design project preparation for more than 6,000 houses.
- Evaluation and preparation of design document with MH-Engineering for an integrated housing project.
- Working closely with the consultant on the integrated housing project.
- Contributed in the review of Shema & Tailoring, wood workshop & metal workshop and Baltna incubation projects.
- Prepared competent contractor selection criteria for the Grand Housing Project.
