The Debre Markos University Construction Project Office has convened a comprehensive performance review session to evaluate the university’s infrastructure developments for the 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY). According to Engineer Abebe Demissew, Manager of the Construction Project Office, the session was aimed at assessing institutional growth and project execution. The forum brought together university leadership, contractors, consulting firms, and regulatory bodies to analyze both the operational strengths and the structural challenges encountered during the fiscal year’s construction activities.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Sayeh Kasaw, President of Debre Markos University, emphasized that the review serves as a critical diagnostic tool. The primary objective, Dr. Sayeh noted, is to identify operational bottlenecks and successes to establish a more efficient strategic direction for upcoming infrastructure phases.
During the progress evaluation phase, consulting firms delivered detailed reports on a wide array of high-priority projects spanning the university’s various campuses. The key infrastructure developments under review included the Digital Library, the ICT Building, the Bichena Distance Education Center Library and guard house, the Teaching Hospital, and the twin physicians’ residential buildings (Blocks A and B). Additionally, stakeholders evaluated the Main Campus Gate and Fencing, the main campus water supply project, existing building maintenance (Lot-2), remaining works on the health campus infrastructure, pedestrian road construction around the main campus, and the university’s Community School.
According to the presented reports, construction project timelines over the fiscal year were heavily impacted by macroeconomic and environmental headwinds. Stakeholders cited high inflation, acute shortages of core construction materials, incomplete initial designs, and delays in processing additional work orders. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions periodically halted on-site operations.
Despite these setbacks, officials stated that timely administrative interventions and collaborative problem-solving prevented total stagnation, allowing the projects to maintain steady progress.
Following the presentation of reports, attendees conducted an extensive on-site inspection tour across the main and health campus to verify the physical progress of construction against the data provided by consultants.
The review concluded with an official ceremony where Debre Markos University presented certificates of recognition to institutions and contracting teams that demonstrated exceptional performance, resilience and commitment to project execution during the 2018 fiscal year.