The Isaias Afwerki administration has arrested dozens of contractors and engineers and suspended all construction work by the few remaining privately-held companies.
The arrested have not been charged with any crime.
Last year, in the third revision in as many years, the government invalidated all business licenses and asked all businesses to apply or re-apply for licenses. Business owners were required to fill out a questionnaire that asked, among other things, whether the family members of the applicant had fulfilled national obligations. If the family member was outside the country, the applicant was required to provide the exit visa number. Applicants were told to inquire on the status of their application within six months, after the government had had a chance to determine whether the applicant was eligible for a license.
Given the onerous requirements, there were no new-business applications but existing business applied to renew their license.
Not surprisingly, after the vetting out process, no business owner was found eligible; consequently, all licenses were revoked and construction work suspended.
The construction work is to be carried out by Party-owned enterprises which are exempt from the requirements. Asked why he thinks that the party's companies are exempt, a family member of one of the arrested told Gedab News: “They would have to be exempt because even the bosses of 09 [the party-owned enterprises] cannot show exit visas for family members who left the country illegally.”
Related Articles:
http://www.awate.com/artman/publish/article_4151.shtml
