By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, July 14 – Ethiopia's Somali region on Tuesday broke ground on a 500-home housing project in Qabridahare to expand housing and modernize urban infrastructure, state broadcaster Somali Region Television (SRTV) reported.
The Daharre Villas Cooperative project, valued at about $37 million (6 billion Ethiopian birr), is expected to help address housing demand, improve the city's appearance and create employment opportunities during and after construction, according to SRTV.
The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by Abdirahman Ahmed Hassan, head of Political Affairs and Capacity Building for the Somali Prosperity Party; Hussein Hashi Qasim, minister in the Office of the President of the Somali region; Abdifetah Ahmed Rabi, president of Qabridahare University; and other regional officials, religious leaders and community representatives.
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According to SRTV, the project forms part of a broader urban development programme aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding housing and supporting economic growth in Qabridahare.
Authorities also inaugurated a new G+2 Quran and Islamic Studies Institute, which officials said would strengthen religious education and expand learning opportunities for young people.
The Somali region has increased investment in housing, roads and public infrastructure in recent years as authorities seek to accommodate rapid urbanization, create jobs and attract private investment across one of Ethiopia's fastest-growing regions.