The first phase of the construction of the Akordet, two-lane, 134 km new asphalt road was launched at a ceremony held on 11 November in Habela.

The first phase of the construction of the new road by SFECO is expected to be accomplished within 24 months and will cover 30 km from Habela to Cheatat.

At the launching ceremony in which Mr. Hagos Gebrehiwet, head of the PFDJ Economic Affairs took part, Mr. Abraha Asfeha, Minister of Public Works, indicating that the old road connecting Asmara with Gash Barka region passing through Keren was very narrow and with rolling mountainous topography that limits the driving speed and open to high risk. Mr. Abraha went on to say that the new road will be of high standard and it will shorten the existing Asmara-Akordet road by 20 km and that will have strategic economic importance.

Mr. Yang Zigang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Eritrea indicating that since the establishment of diplomatic relation in 1993, Eritrea and China cooperation has been strengthened continuously, said that the ‘SFECO’ has vast experience and capacity to construct the road and is expected the Eritrean nationals that join the program will gain substantial experience.

Mr. Chen Yi, Vice President of SFECO and GM of SFECO Eritrea held the ceremony. Mr. Zhou Wei, Chief Engineer of SFECO attended the ceremony.