It is a frequent custom to hear and listen to sharing New Year messages internationally. Because new near messages are strong and a beautiful method to connect plans, share joy, and attach with visions. People send New Year greetings to friends, family, or coworkers.
Based on the Gregorian calendar, September 11 (or September 12 in a leap year) is the day Ethiopians celebrate the onset of a New Year, also known as “Enkutatash”. The Ethiopian calendar, which starts seven or eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, officially begins on this date.
Ethiopians celebrate the New Year colorfully and in diverse ways. Before, during, and after the festivities, individuals send each other well wishes for a happy new year. Here are a few typical ones, among others:
– “Enkutatash!” – The traditional greeting that means “Happy New Year!”
– “May this new year bring you peace, joy, and prosperity.”
– “Wishing you a year filled with love and happiness.”
– “May your dreams be fulfilled in this new year.”
– “Let us celebrate the blessings of the past year and embrace the opportunities of the new one.”
Enkutatash is embodied in these traditions, which have themes of optimism, rebirth, and communal spirit. The colorful festival of Enkutatash embodies Ethiopia’s distinct cultural identity, customs, and optimism.
Not only do individuals, families, and friends wish and make plans for the upcoming year, but government organizations also organize and distribute New Year’s greetings encouraging everyone to collaborate to accomplish shared objectives. Therefore, it is essential to inquire about Ethiopia’s accomplishments for the fiscal year that has ended. What is anticipated in terms of using its water resources for national growth in the next new year?
Minister of Water and Energy Dr. Eng. Habtamu Itefa told The Ethiopian Herald that the country has successfully used its water resources for a variety of purposes in this completed year. Because 2016 Ethiopian calendar was a year that demonstrated the country’s ability to develop, expand, and achieve results via the use of its water resources. Besides, Ethiopia has put a good basis for exploiting its water resources for the coming years.
According to him, Ethiopia did not exploit its water resources for millennia. As a result, the country was known for poverty, drought, and related challenges. However, with the political reform of the country in mid- 2018, Ethiopia has started using its water resources. Hence, the country is now able to produce and export summer wheat. It went from being unable to exploit the country’s water resources to being able to do so by constructing GERD on the Nile River.
In addition, the successive water filling of the dam has been successfully finished. Thus far, some turbines have been operational, producing 1400 MW. Of the 74 billion cubic meters of water that are intended to be used to produce energy, GERD now holds 66.5 billion cubic meters. At this time, the country has reached a point where the dam can keep the remaining billion cubic meters of water.
The world’s most serious challenge is climate change. This shift was caused not just by natural problems, but also primarily by man-made issues. One factor that contributes to climate change is the energy source. Pollution is a major issue in both developing and developed countries. As a result, developing countries are paying the price for this.
Ethiopia’s contribution to climate change is almost nonexistent. Because the country generates energy completely from renewable sources. Among others, water accounts for more than 92 percent of the total energy supply. This implies that when Ethiopia generates energy for electricity from renewable sources, it meets its energy needs without polluting the air or harming the environment.
This renewable energy benefits not just Ethiopia, but also neighboring nations. Sudan, Kenya, and Djibouti are among the countries that benefit from Ethiopia’s renewable power supply. Ethiopia also produces non-carbon emissions. As a result, Ethiopia is decarbonizing the atmosphere not just for its own benefit, but also for that of the region and the entire globe, he noted.
He claims that Ethiopia has consistently maintained its strong stance that the nation must take action to combat climate change and air pollution. Through its Green Legacy Initiative program, the nation plants billions of tree seedlings annually to maintain its status. Apart from the yearly planting of tree seedlings program, the nation accomplished the achievement of planting over 615 million saplings in a single day. In the upcoming year, this has to be strengthened and maintained.
Besides, in the next new year, Ethiopians should work on the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). There are some more tasks that make GERD effective. It is also suitable to complete the dam’s remaining water-filling activities. People and government should work together to put additional turbines into service and generate electricity. Aside from GERD, it is critical to boost national energy development initiatives throughout the country.
“As we all know, GERD is a massive project spanning 250 kilometers. Given this, it is appropriate to undertake transportation projects connecting the three regions of Amhara, Benishangul, and Oromia. It is also critical to develop work opportunities at the GERD in the coming year by increasing fish farming and building large-scale tourism attraction areas,” he said.
Ethiopians have inherited many excellent things from their forefathers. It is vital to continue this legacy in the coming year. It is especially appropriate to love the nation and to stand together not just during times of crisis but also for development.
Ethiopia’s efforts and endeavors to utilize its water resources for development are increasingly becoming a source of pride for both Ethiopians and other friendly nations. Ethiopia might be developed and elevated to a higher level in the coming year if the nation can effectively use its water resources by combining its time, money, and human labor.
“With the building of GERD and the utilization of its water bodies, Ethiopia has gained various experiences in the last fiscal year, the 2016 Ethiopian calendar. That was the year that professionals from Ethiopia developed expertise in the design, construction, and management of dams. I hope that in the coming new year, the professionals who constructed the largest dam in Africa (GERD) will share their insights and knowledge to be an inspiration to their fellow Africans.”
In general, in the new year, 2017, the world community should acknowledge and comprehend Ethiopia’s efforts to mitigate climate change. They should also help to enhance and improve development and climate change mitigation initiatives. This is because, in the new year, there will be development projects in the country that will have a beneficial influence and benefit not just Ethiopia, but also other countries and the world.
BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2024
