Seble Solomon 08/05/09
Engineer Hailu Shawel has become very silent. It is now clear why he refused to accept the vote of the residents of Addis Ababa. He refused to take his seat to administer the capital city when the great majority of them voted for him. In 2005 he expedited and short lived his stay in Washington DC. His main purpose was to return to Ethiopia because Kinijt was in a quagmire to whether take the seats in parliament and administer the city. In hindsight Engineer Hailu Shawel was trying to hide something from his followers and divert their attention. He was always contemptuous and denounced the ruling party because underneath it all he was busy engaged in harvesting and looking out for his own interest. The Amharic saying goes “Mesenbet Deg New” which means “it is good to stay around”. Today the truth has come out. We are all privileged to witness it. It was not the great majority of the farmers and pastoralists or the residents of Addis that he had in mind when he run for election. The Engineer had his own selfish interest in mind and made sure he secured a place to launch his dream business while discouraging his followers from having anything to do with venturing out to invest in their country of birth.
Engineer Hailu Shawel is quiet because he has acquired a new mantra which goes like this “Variety is the Soul of Leisure”. He has been telling his followers that Ethiopia is doom and gloom while he on the other hand was busy erecting Laphto a “Fun, Family, Fitness” center in the old airport vicinity in Addis Ababa. It is one of a kind, state of the art facility that has anything and everything your heart desires. It is not just a fitness center like you see in the developed world, nooooooooooooooo; it is an all encompassing facility. You want to have a conference hall, Byogenic SPA, Nexus gallery tour, free Internet wireless connection, playground or daycare for kids, café or restaurant; you will find it all at Laphto the heart and soul of Engineer Hailu’s dream come true fantasy land.
“Laphto is multipurpose world class fitness, entertainment, recreational and shopping facility which offers a wide range of high quality and integrated entertainment services in one complex.” The buffoon tycoon Engineer Hailu Shawel’s website tells it all situated in the heart of Addis Abeba.
Now it is great that Engineer Hailu Shawel was able to go large in his own native country. There is nothing wrong in being the beneficiary of a free market economy. That is not what is disheartening. What is hypocrite and contradictory is the disguise he used to undermine the great progress going on in the country. While he himself benefited from the free market economy of Ethiopia he went about deceiving his followers and instructed them to condemn the great gains the country was enjoying. He was adamant about creating a false picture while he was obtaining and acquiring his own wealth.
He told his Ethiopian Diaspora followers that his hands were tied and the country did not offer anything for anyone including himself. How was he able to secure and build in a country where he says everyone’s hands are tied and no business transactions can take place? What happened to the myriad stories he told to the Ethiopian Diaspora that only EPRDF builds and reaps from the country’s wealth? What was his beef? Did he opt not to take administrative responsibilities because he was too preoccupied designing his state of the art building? Was he diverting the attention of the many genuine Ethiopians in order to secure his own?
He never encouraged his followers to save money and invest in the country. Instead he instructed them to go out into the streets and appeal to the leaders of their residence to refrain from helping Ethiopia in its fight against poverty. His vision remained limited to only accruing for himself but he encouraged his followers to donate money to his party. He conspired along with his cronies to collect money from his followers. He was never ready to serve but to manipulate and sharpen his skill in generating fabricated stories based on lies after lies.
Remember the interview with Hard Talk where he lied and said he only served the Mengistu regime for only two years when his allegiance to Mengistu span twelve years? What could anyone expect from a two faced individual that out rightly went on rampage to undermine the intelligence of his followers?
Diaspora Ethiopians must learn from this experience and help themselves and their families and totally disassociate from deceitful self-absorbed individuals and be self reliant.
First, all Ethiopians should watch out for the likes of Engineer Hailu Shawel and his cronies who claim to stand for Ethiopia but are only out for themselves. It is a great lesson to be learned and requires each person to question and not accept the rhetoric of selfish individuals.
Second, it is a great testimony for all to witness that Ethiopia has indeed opened up a true free market economy. It is great to see that irrespective of one's political view the services of the country are available to all. It clearly shows that Ethiopia has come a long way and kudos to the government of Ethiopia for laying the foundation to a system that benefits every citizen without discrimination to anyone's political affiliation or stance. Engineer Hailu Shawel's fledgling business success is just one of the many examples.
Third, know that Ethiopia is an abundant country busy establishing democratic institutions. It is ready to welcome every Ethiopian, even core opposition leaders, to gain and benefit from the wealth of the country. Like they say it is high time to wake up and smell the roses.
Fourth, take it upon your self to visit the country and family and deduce and determine what the country offers in terms of opportunities.
Fifth, look out for yourself and be engaged and informed about the many fast developments taking place in the country. It is time that each person takes his/her own responsibility and be forward looking to develop and ultimately serve the interest of Ethiopia and its people.
Last but not least inquire and send money via the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia or any private bank and save your money to at least build a business or a home. Be a beneficiary to what the country offers instead of raising money to fill the pockets of individuals that are totally committed to self aggrandizement.
Today Engineer Hailu Shawel is mainly interested in seeing a stable government and a peaceful country. Ginbot 7 or any other party is not what he is after now. The Engineer is in a different league now. He is focused in building his business and soliciting customers. That is what is at stake for him now. He has left the doom and gloom space and has finally situated himself to be involved in advertising his facility to generate money. Now with his plan accomplished he is humming the mantra “Variety is the Soul of Leisure”.
Take heed all Ethiopians, follow your heart and go visit and see for your own eyes what opportunities are available in the country. Ethiopia is going forward and the witness is none other than one of the main opposition leaders that has been crying foul all along while he was busy situating himself to be one of the tycoons in the country. The smart will go and build Ethiopia with the firm belief that Ethiopia belongs to all. The proof indeed is in the pudding see for your self at : http://www.laphto.com/about_us.htm