The new technology launched three years ago to limit the number of SIM cards an individual could get under his/her name is paying off, said Ethio-telecom on Thursday.
The company put in place a system that prohibits an individual from getting more than five SIM cards under his/her name so as to prevent theft and crimes in the telecom industry,
Abdurahim Ahmed, head of corporate communication at Ethio telecom, told FBC today that the system helped the company to control fraud in the mobile telecom service.
He further said as part of the efforts to prevent crimes; the company is using only its shops and legal agents to sell SIM cards through electronics payment system.
If anyone or any shop is found selling SIM cards without the permission of the company, it is illegal, he added.
Ethio telecom has 58 million mobile subscribers.
Ethio telecom is an integrated telecommunications solutions provider operating in Ethiopia. It offers internet, data, VAS, International and voice services. (FBC)
Parties request details on implementation of mixed electoral system featured
The national political parties who have been in negotiation on Thursday requested detailed information from the ruling party, EPRDF on the implementation of mixed electoral system.
The parties requested on Thursday for detailed explanation after the closed door negotiation on the proposed ideas of EPRDF and other negotiating parties on the country’s electoral system.
Agreed on the need for the electoral system of the country on the table, the negotiating parties had proposed electoral systems which they believe is proper for the country during their previous meeting.
Accordingly, mixed electoral system, comprising of proportional representation and plurality was proposed by EPRDF, while other parties preferred the proportional representation system.
According to media committee of the negotiation, EPRDF will present the details on how the mixed type of electoral system could work.
The 16 national political parties that have concluded their negotiation on a series of agendas in their first topic, started their negotiation on the second topic by discussing the electoral system. (ENA)
AU reacts to revised US travel ban
The African Union Commission (AUC) on Thursday welcomed the removal of the travel ban on Sudan by the United States and looks forward to the full normalization of relations between the two countries.
The AUC was perplexed by the imposition of a travel ban on some African countries as the free and legal movement of people is the foundation of a stronger and mutually enriching relationship between the African continent and the United States, the commission said in a statement.
While sharing the same concerns with the United States on the threat of terrorism and violent extremism, the AUC is of the view that cooperation and meaningful engagement are vital in shaping a common response to this very demanding global challenge.
In a meeting with the Multinational Joint Task Force against the Boko Haram insurgency, the leadership expressed bewilderment at the imposition of the unjust travel ban on Chad, given its important role in the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin, Northern Mali, and the Sahel. (FBC)
Indian Cabinet approves cooperation with Ethiopia
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval on Thursday to sign the agreement between India and Ethiopia on “Cooperation in the field of Information, Communication and Media”.
According to New Kerala, the agreement aims to harness the growing power of Information, Communication and Media for information dissemination and enhancing outreach between the two countries for inclusive development.
It will also enhance people-to-people contact through exchange programmes. It would also provide an opportunity for both the nations to share best practices and new innovations in the field of Information, Communication and Media.
The agreement will encourage cooperation between mass media tools such as radio, print media, TV and social media to provide more opportunities to the people of both the nations and create public accountability.
The agreement, through an institutional framework will facilitate exchange of delegations, personnel between the two nations, providing them opportunities to learn from each other’s best practices, bringing in equity and inclusiveness. (FBC)
Non communicable diseases growing threats to public health
People need to bring about behavior change to prevent possible vulnerability to non-communicable diseases, experts in the field warn this week.
The STEPS survey on risk factors for non-communicable diseases and prevalence of selected NCDs has been officially disseminated Thursday in the presence of stakeholders.
The survey conducted by Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) aims to measure chronic disease risk factors and the prevalence of selected NCDs in Ethiopia.
According to the Summary Report the survey was conducted based on data collected from April to June 2015. The data collected on behavioral characteristics showed that about 4.2% of the survey participants were current smokers. Among all current smokers of both sexes, 82.8% of them smoked daily.
With regard to alcohol consumption, nearly 41% had consumed alcohol during the past 30 days prior to the survey. The proportion of men who consumed alcohol (46.6%) was higher than that of women (33.5%).
The average number of days per week on which fruit and vegetable consumed was 0.9% and 1.5, respectively. More than ninety-eight percent of the population consumed fewer than five servings of fruit and vegetables daily. (Eth. Herald)