Police unveils list of highways to remain closed until end of Irreecha Festival

Addis Ababa, October 5, 2023 (FBC) – The Addis Ababa Police have issued restrictions on the use of some major roads starting tomorrow, the eve of the Irreecha Festival to be held at Hora Finfinnee in the capital.

Police unveiled a list of roads that will be kept shut starting in afternoon of Friday, 6 October, 2023 on 2:00 PM till the festival concludes the next day, Saturday 7 October, 2023.

Accordingly, the highway from Bole International Airport leading to the Meskel Square will be closed at Wolo Sefer Square, and the road leading to the Meskel from Megenagna will be barred at Haya Hulet Square.

The road from Arat Killo to Meskel Square via the Foreign Affairs Ministry Head Office will be shut at Friendship Park, Police said.

Vehicles are not permitted to use the highway from Piassa to Meskel Square via Churchill Avenue, and the way that leads to Meskel Square from Tor Hayloch will remain closed around Lideta Supreme Court.

Furthermore, the highway from Jemmo-Tinbaho Monopole to Mexico will be fenced at African Union Square, and the route from Kera to Mexico at Bulgaria Roundabout.

The route from Kera to Legehar thru the new road will be enclosed at Tabot Maderia while the path leading to Meskel Square from Saris will be closed at Gottera Intercept.

Police added that the Bole-Urael Church, Aware-Kazanchis roads be blocked at Atlas Hotel and Women’s Square respectively.

The road from Lideta Church to the Ministry of Health through Geja Sefer will be blocked around Abinet Feresegna Police Station, Police said.

The path from Merkato to Amstegna via Goma Tera and the way from Merkato to Goma Kuteba thru Ras Hotel will be temporarily closed to traffic till the Irreecha festival concludes on Saturday in the afternoon.

The Addis Ababa Police explained that it is not allowed to park a vehicle for a long or short time in and around the place where festival to take place.

The community is urged to use inform the police about any doubtful situation via the emergency numbers; 991 and 816 and the following telephone lines; 011-1-26- 43-59 ፣ 011- 5- 52- 63-02/03 ፣ 011-542-40-77፣ 011-5-54-36-81 and free hotline numbers 987, 991 and 816, according to Police.

By Wondesen Aregahegn