Infrastructure

1. Definition: in narrow sense, infrastructure is defined to include economic infrastructure also

referred as physical infrastructure

Economic infrastructure includes broadly

 Public utilities includes power, telecommunication, drinking water supply, sanitation sewerage,
solid waste collection and disposal ,gas supply and storage and ware housing
 Public work including roads, dams, canals and tanks for irrigation and drainage.
 Other transport sectors including road ways ,railways, ports, water ways and air ports

In broader sense infrastructure encompasses what is referred to as the social factors, which includes
services such as education, health, housing which are basic to human development.

2. Classification of Infrastructure

Broadly accepted infrastructure can be classified in two categories . These are Social infrastructure and
physical infrastructure both comprises activities that share technical features and economic features.
Social and physical infrastructures are definitely essential for growth and development.

3. The development and the role of Infrastructure

Adequate quantity, quality and reliability of infrastructure are necessary preconditions for rapid
economic growth. The state of infrastructure also has a direct correlation to internal production,
international competitiveness, flow direct investment and export dynamism.

Good infrastructure helps raise productivity and lower costs in the directly productive activities of the
economy, but it has to expand fast enough to accommodate growth.

4. Infrastructure Conditions in Tigray

The government of Ethiopia ensured infrastructure is the back bone of any economic activities.
Because of this the government of the national state of Tigray accomplished different activities of
infrastructure that created job opportunities for many youths. Hence, the infrastructure projects are
defined clealy in the below table.
 No Name of Town No of Projects Budget % Job created
In 2003
Badget Used in Birr
allowed in Birr
1 Mekelle 27 232,708,235 189,148,011 85 1,516
2 Adigrat 10 64,186,238 54,863,427.2 90 1,662
3 Axum 12 53,284,346 51,673,519.04 96.98 1,117
4 Shire 12 54,632,801 48,792,990.52 89.31 10,107
5 Abbiyi Adi 15 4,202,235 3,923,806.23 93.37 226
6 Alamata 8 8,069,276 7,257,138.31 89.9 2,657
7 Adwa 7 9,436,428 4,065,156.26 43.07 510
8 Maichew 8 5,293,583 4,887,499.54 90 681
9 Korem 10 4,073,499 3,983,508.49 97.79 187
10 Wukro 14 6,558,093 6,620,137.56 100 1,521
11 Sheraro 10 4,394,603 3,968,461.88 90.3 882
12 Humera 13 8,022,942 6,761,472.94 84.27 289
Sum 144 445,862,279 385,945,128.5 86.56 21,355

Source: UDTI Report (2003, EC)

5. Over All of Infrastructure Construction Benefits
Any infrastructure provision is passed through the approval of EIA. Hence, the potential
environmental benefits of urban infrastructure projects depend on the nature and location of the
projects.
6. Social Benefits of Urban Infrastructure
 Improved transportation, resulting in improved access to markets and social support networks
 Improved availability of clean water, resulting in improved health
 Avoidance of damaging floods in urban areas
 Health impacts of construction works in sanitation and solid waste.
7. Environmental Impacts

The following are the potential adverse environmental impacts

  Land take for the site of infrastructure and by gathering of construction materials. This
resulting in complete removal of vegetation
 Deforestation and over exploitation of natural resources
 Destruction of cultural heritage as aresult of land utilization
 Depletionand pollution of surface and ground water resources

(Source:The FDRE,Ministry of Urban Development,Housing and Consttruction,Environmental and

Social Management System Guidelines,feb,2008,Addis Ababa.)