(Daniel Berhane)
The state-owned Shipping line disclaimed responsibility for the misnaming of its new vessel, which was named after Mek’ele, the capital of Tigrai state.
The vessel, which arrived last week, is the last of the nine vessels that Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise (ESLSE) has ordered from China, at a total cost of 300 million dollars, in 2010, as part of its plan to scale up the amount of cargo carried by Ethiopian vessel from 20% to 50%.
The enterprise named the new vessels after the capital cities of the nine federal states. The firt eight were named Finfine, Assosa, Gambell, Harar, Jigjiga Bahir Dar and Hawassa.
The ninth vessel, which arrived last week and named after Mek’ele city, triggered criticisms on facebook and twitter as the Geez inscription on the vessel’s body reads መቀሌ rather than መቐለ.
Hundreds signed a petition, titled “Correct the Name on Mek’ele Vessel“, in the weekend. The petition letter argues that the vessel has the potential of giving permanence to an already ubiquitous misspelling of the city’s name. It also urges for the rectification of similar problem in the use of other Tigrai related names in the federal government.
The shipping enterprise is not responsible for the matter, according to its Chief Engineer and deputy CEO of shipping services Alemu Ambaye.
In a phone interview with this blog today, Alemu suggested that the focus should have been on the fact that the vessel’s role in promoting the name of the city, adding that “we have seen [the criticisms on social media]”.
In an attempt to justify, Alemu noted that the inscription on Alula aba Nega international airport is same as on the vessel.
However, while the airport is located in Mek’ele city, it is owned and managed by the federal government, which, for some reasons, is still stuck on several erroneous names. Though, the assimilation policy has been officially abandoned twenty two years ago.
It appears Mek’ele University is the sole federal institution that employs the proper spelling.
Alemu claimed that the names inscribed on all vessels were obtained from “official sources”. Asked to clarify whether the Tigrai state government is the “official source”, he said it was the federal government. Later, he indicated the name was written after referring to “federal government documents”.
Yet, Alemu reiterated that the enterprise has no predilection on the matter and would correct the vessel’s name if requested by an official organ.
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surely like your web page nevertheless you want to implement phone spelling in many of you. Some of them are generally filled along with transliteration troubles i believe that it is really worrisome to express to reality on the other hand I will surely come all over again yet again.
መቀሌ in Amharic and መቐለ in Geez/ Tigrigna … why is this wrong? Because I assume all the names are in English and Amharic and not in regional languages!! Please correct me if Im wrong!
Good job, Dani. It shall be corrected soon, and so should the others, like the airport and others. It is bad coincidence that we have irrespobsible leaders, bunch of retarded pigs who don’t give damn history, especially at the regional level. Down to Tigray regional administration.
You made very good points Michael Redda.
Keep in touch.
Yes Danny, I don’t know where and when this matter is going to stop. Particularly in this very case, since His Excellency Abay Woldu was attending the arrival ceremony of the ship, I was very sure he would immediately issue a request to authorities to correct the error. But seemingly, it didn’t happen (sad). Also look at most bars and hotel names across the Tigray, name boards sponsored by Pepsi Company seems to campaign in irradiating the proper naming in the native language. ave you also noticed the naming of boutiques, bars and shops in Mekelle and several other major towns are using either Amharic or English names. I’m really sorry to see such a shame is living with us even after two decades of liberty. You remember the times when Kilete Awlaelo was called Hulet Awlalo and Kilete Belesa “Hulet Belesa”, etc. I thought those times are gone but seemingly are buried deep in us. Lack of institution regulating and enforcing proper use of languages, and also lack of awareness creation are matters to blamed – and all are on the shoulders of our administrators and educators.