Saudi-US company launches eco project on 133.8ha island

Sal Joil Saudi-American Investment Plc, a company owned by a Saudi and US investors, has launched what will become the first private eco tourism project in the country to be built on a 133.8ha island on Lake Beseka, in the environs of the town of Metehara 197km east of Addis Ababa, it was learnt.

The Oromia Investment Commission, which about three years ago provided the same company with a 14ha land on the shores of the lake for a 120 million birr lodge project, has given the island to the company, a good portion of which lease-free.

“The commission handed over the island to us following our request,” Seid Dirar, the manager and sole representative of the company told The Reporter. “The commission was willing to do so after it evaluated the resort project we are undertaking. I think they are convinced we can do more in the eco tourism field.”
According to an expert in the Oromia Investment Commission, both projects being executed by the Saudi-American company are believed to attract more tourists in the country as they are unique and huge resort projects. The expert said that the lodge is expected to be the largest and the first of its kind in the country when it is completed.

The company this week kick-started the eco tourism project on the island which involves the construction of traditional lodges and stone steps chiseled out of the hilly areas of the island as well as preserving the ecology across the island, according to Seid.

Two-and-a-half-years ago the company launched the resort project on the shores of Lake Beseka, which includes the construction of artistic lodges that accommodate up to 150 people.

There are about 49 Indonesians working on the project which involves a cinema, horse circus, a museum, a swimming pool, a library and a nightclub, among others, according to Seid.

The resort sports a 50 meter-long pier inside the lake. Along the pier there are rooms while at the tip of is an excursion area.
The resort will render motor boats service on the lake.

Visitors who come to the lodge will visit the island using motor boats the company will import from abroad, according to Seid.

The company also plans to build an airstrip alongside the resort in a bid to cater for visitors who might opt to visit the place by plane, according to the manager.
Both the eco project at the island and the resort on the shores of the lake are projected to be completed in one-and-half-year, seid revealed.

Aside from the resort and the eco project on the island, the company will render game hunting services to guests from different parts of the country. The company is currently in the process of acquiring the license to render such service.

All the same, the Saudi-American investment project is faced with “an unprecedented” challenge due to the expanding Lake Beseka currently overflowing on the edges of the lodge. The overflow has already caused some damage to the sides of the lodge while the company is trying to avoid further damages by building a retaining wall.

“We can not avoid the potential damage that the overflowing waters of the salty lakes could inflict on the lodge,” Seid said. “To this end, the company is seeking the support of the government to save the project from a potential damage.”
The lake has for the last several months been threatening the inhabitants as well.