Members of parliament representing Sidama regional state said the state should focus on solving the problem of high cost of living and unemployment. The MPs made the remarks during discussions with regional leaders at all levels.

The discussion was chaired by Honorable Solomon Lale, Coordinator of the Group, Chairperson of the House of Peoples 'Representatives' Standing Committee on Agriculture, Member of the House Planning, Budget and Finance Affairs Committee, and Honorable Anesa Malco. They called on the state government to address the high cost of living, job creation for the youth, improved seed, fertilizer supply, inflation and power outages.

They added there are many ongoing road projects in the regional state, adding that the state government should take legal action against culprits and miscreants who are wasting public resources.

The President of the State, H.E Desta Ledamo, thanked the members of the House for their support. He said efforts are underway to raise public awareness by creating public mobilization forums to address the high cost of living and job creation of the regional state.

At the regional state level, he said, we will prioritize existing projects to the extent possible by eliminating mugging and malpractice that harm the public interest.