EPRDF spent over 900 million birr in one year for events

ESAT News

In the Ethiopian fiscal year which being completed, the ruling Front, EPRDF, had spent over 900 million Ethiopian birr for the Front’s political works from the government budget.

The sources say the receipts added up so far suggest that the Front spent the money for the celebration of Nationalities Day, Flag Day, Defense Day, training of higher education students, training of police officers, reform training and the training of over 100 thousand members of the EPRDF.

The final balance might even be above 900million birr, they added, the money belongs the tax payer and the general auditor accounts it as the ‘government’s expense’.

The sources said especially some of the events such as Nationalities Day, Flag Day and Defense Day are largely organised and contracted by companies and people that are affiliated with the government and benefit by suggesting ideas for projects that they can win through backdoor deals.

The sources say the government has been using funds that came for fighting HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Especially after the fund from the Global Fund was cut, the Front started using the government’s finance to fund its political projects.

According to the sources, although some of the programs are given recognition by the government, their main role is reflecting EPRDF’s Revolutionary Democracy ideology.