Ethiopian and Djiboutian trainees attend a training session in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, July 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
ADDIS ABABA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China has been supporting training programs for potential train drivers from Ethiopia and Djibouti, the two East African countries linked with a Chinese-built 756 km railway.
Most recently, about 50 Ethiopian and Djiboutian prospective train drivers started attending a China-sponsored training program in the Ethiopian capital.
The program, expected to last until August 7, aims to create a competent and skilled labor force to operate the Chinese-built and financed Ethiopia-Djibouti electrified rail line.
A staff member of the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway inspects the ticket of a passenger in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on May 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)
The training program will continue in a much more organized form through a planned railway academy, said Liu Yu, Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia.
"This railway academy will help Ethiopia and Djibouti to cultivate own talents and realize self-operation at early stage. This railway belongs to Ethiopian and Djibouti people and one day you will operate the railway completely," said Liu.
Ethiopian and Djiboutian trainees attend a training session in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, July 9, 2018.(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
The training of Djiboutian and Ethiopian train drivers is part of an organized China-Aid framework which has seen over 5,500 Ethiopians participate in various training programs over the last several years.
Tilahun Sarka, Director General of Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway Share Company (EDRSC), said Ethiopia chose China as its main partner in railway sector because of the country's advanced railway systems.
"The good thing about Chinese instructors and lecturers, as long as you keep on asking questions you will get what you need, so be confident, don't be afraid, don't be shy, ask questions," he said.
Ethiopian attendants walk along a train at the Lebu station in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Ethiopian and Djiboutian trainees attend a training session in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, July 9, 2018. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Lebu Railway Station attendants are seen at the station in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, March 25, 2018.(Xinhua/Wang Shoubao)