In August, the government ousted METEC from its contract to supply turbines for the nearly $5 billion Grand Renaissance Dam, citing lengthy delays. This week, authorities arrested 29 current and former senior employees of METEC including the ex-head, Brigadier General Kinfe Dagnew, on suspicion of corruption. METEC had more than 19,000 employees but it laid off 3,000 this year after the government fired it from several contracts. In 2011, the government awarded METEC contracts related to a dozen mega projects: the plan was for METEC to establish new industries and build factories and infrastructure before opening the companies up to private sector investment. Days later, the government began cancelling some of METEC's contracts, citing poor performance and delays.

Source: Ethiopian News November 14, 2018 16:18 UTC