It is certain that apart from its contribution to Ethiopia’s socio-economic development, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) beyond a shadow of a doubt plays a huge role in smoothing the path of regional economic integration in the course of time.
All things considered, since the laying of the cornerstone for the construction of the flagship project, Ethiopia has been making every possible effort to keep from harm its national interest capitalizing on a diverse range of diplomatic works in multiple platforms and numerous forums.
In actual fact, Egypt has continued pulling out all the stops to undergo a wide spectrum of attempts to get help from their allies for their pessimistic attitudes towards the Abbay Dam that go behind closed curtains. There is no doubt that no matter how far they voyaged, all their efforts have been failing to bear fruits owing to the concerted efforts of Ethiopians.
Failing to learn from their past mistakes, Egypt has continued going to the ends of the earth to tarnish the positive moves of the dam making use of its usual cooked up stories that do not reflect the existing reality on the ground.
In more concrete terms, on numerous occasions Egypt’s unchanging stance towards the Dam has been moving the existing situation into uncharted territory. No matter what the cost may be, Egypt is not willing to revise its stand towards the Dam which in black and white demonstrates its unflinching stance not to accept equitable water utilization of the Abbay River.
Notwithstanding the fact that a lot of efforts have been made by some groups to tarnish the positive moves of the government on the subject of the Dam, Ethiopia has continued heading in the right direction giving the cold shoulder to naysayers. In point of fact, Ethiopia on multiple occasions has proved worrywarts wrong.
In the present climate, on the heels of the positive moves being taken by the Ethiopian government, the flagship project is on the way to see the light of day just around the corner.
For the sake of truth, since the laying of the cornerstone, the Dam has been passing through good days and bad days. However, through the commitment and hard work of the federal government and the people of Ethiopia, the Dam has reached where it is in the present climate. The entire journey has not been a low-hanging fruit. It was easier said than done. Following its difficult journey, nobody has expected the Dam will reach where it is today.
In spite of the fact that efforts have been exerted to expedite the construction of the colossal dam and diplomatic efforts with the intention of demonstrating the fact that the Dam is a matter of existence, Ethiopia’s arch foes over and over have been endeavoring to drag through the mud its positive developments.
As Ethiopia’s accomplishment is a bitter pill to swallow for its adversaries, they every so often leave no stone unturned to throw cold water on the positive developments of the country.
It is common knowledge that Ethiopia has been undertaking various water diplomacy efforts with the purpose of amending wide of the mark narration being propagated by Ethiopia’s foes. Reasoning from this fact, the country has been accomplishing the sought after goal and moving forward in the right direction.
Ethiopia’s hydro centered energy development activities are exemplary to showcase pollution free clean energy generation, hydropower development researcher and instructor at Addis Ababa University, Ermias Tefera remarked.
GERD is an essential multi-purpose project for ensuring regulated and constant water flow to the lower riparian countries besides its contribution in reducing their vulnerability to flood and for sustained source of energy, it was learned.
The Dam ensures constant water flow to downstream countries by increasing the volume of water by 25% during the dry season and would keep water lost by evaporation only to 12%.
ENA has conducted an exclusive interview with Ermias Tefera to discuss about a hydropower centered energy development and other related issues regarding the development of climate change resilient economic development in Ethiopia.
He said hydropower centered energy provides a great deal of contribution to building a climate resilience economy and ensuring sustainable development.
According to the researcher, the 5,150 MW clean energy, which would be generated from the GERD, will mutually benefit the countries of the region and would promote regional economic integration.
He further added that the Dam will markedly reduce the vulnerability of irrigation schemes in lower riparian countries to torrential floods by reducing the amount of top soil that would be washed away annually.
GERD is a showcase for the promotion of a strong spirit to succeed in development endeavors among Ethiopians and is a symbol of national pride for the country. Ethiopia’s hydropower energy development is exemplary to showcase pollution free clean energy centered power generation, the researcher stated.
Ermias further stated that the GERD has led to the creation of a 1,280 sq. km water body and commended the special contribution made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed towards the realization of the Dam.
In terms of its capacity to hold water GERD ranks 12th among the dams across the world, the researcher indicated. Egypt’s Aswan Dam is the 8th biggest dam in the world and noted that the current pressure being exerted to sabotage the completion of the Dam is unacceptable and counterproductive.
The relentless efforts made by the government and the National Negotiating Technical Committee for all their efforts in resisting the continuous pressure hurdled on the team during the previous negotiations.
After its completion, GERD will become a vital catalyst for urbanization and industrial development by effectively fulfilling the energy needs of the country.
As Ethiopia’s adversaries do not know the fact that the Dam means a lot to Ethiopians and they leave no stone unturned to give their all for the construction of the Dam devoid of batting an eye, they endeavor to bewilder the construction of the Dam.
As the federal government and the people of Ethiopia are two sides of the same coin, their dream is turning out to be a reality. It is believed that the Dam will be fully operational in the near future. As the Dam without doubt fashion immense opportunities that could hugely contribute to the economic advancement of Africa, Africans residing under the world skies should join hands for the attainment of the goals.
In the same way, as GERD is an engine for paving the way for socio-economic development in Africa, Africans living in the continent of Africa should act jointly for the fulfillments of the targets.
African nations should enjoy their rights to share electric power from the Nile River in an equitable way. When the Dam becomes operational it will be the leading hydro electrical dam in Africa and beyond.
Albeit Ethiopia has been at loggerheads with its opponents for years regarding the construction of the Dam, it is on the way to embark on harvesting the fruits of success.
In most of the meetings, Egypt and recently Sudan are raising concern in the filling and operation of the Dam. The countries have agreed on most of the issues but few critical points still remain. In most of the articles, the disagreement points are sensationalized and circulated in the media, according to source.
The source went on to say as per World Bank 2018 data, currently, Africa generates 4% of global electricity from which three-quarters of that is used by South Africa, Egypt, and other countries along the North Africa littoral. The World Bank also reported only 48% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa has access to electricity. Ten out of 11 Nile basin countries are categorized under Sub-Saharan Africa.
General Manager of the construction of Abbay Dam, Eng. Kifle Horo told local media recently that the flagship Dam is a shared project of all Ethiopians built with their flesh and blood.
He said that the Dam is now 99.5% complete while the saddle dam has been 100% completed. The overall construction of this flagship project, which is a showcase for the unity of the people of Ethiopia, is now 96.8% completed.
The General Manager stressed that the Dam has not been constructed by a combination of cement and concrete slabs but also the result of the relentless sacrifices paid by Ethiopians in their flesh and blood.
He added that the reformist government had faced a lot of challenges and pressures after the construction was continued in a more efficient manner.
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER 2024
