ADDIS ABABA –The flow of the waters of the Nile to Sudan and Egypt during the dry season has increased significantly since the initial filling of Abbay Dam, the Ministry of Water and Energy announced.
During the course of recent Systematic Observation Financing Facility (SOFF) project inception workshop, Minister Eng. Habtamu Itefa (PhD) expressed that Ethiopia considers the condition of downstream countries, affirming that the current status of the grand dam does not negatively affect Sudan or Egypt.
“We take into account our brothers and sisters on the other side. The condition of the dam has not caused any harm to downstream countries. Ethiopia strongly believes in the shared nature of the Nile River,” Eng. Habtamu said.
Despite consecutive dam fillings over the past few years, the amount of water reaching downstream countries has not decreased, he added, in fact, Khartoum, which used to suffer from floods in rainy season, is now safer because of the dam. In dry seasons, Sudan and Egypt are receiving four times greater volume than the previous water volume.
The Minister underscored Ethiopia’s commitment to continue negotiations under the Nile Basin Cooperation Framework Agreement, calling it a crucial legal foundation for all riparian countries.
He also noted Ethiopia’s environmental efforts, including planting over 40 billion trees during the last six years, which has positively impacted water resources.
“Our research in three basins, including the Nile, shows that the Green Legacy Initiative is contributing up to a nine percent increase in water flow,” the minister said. The initiative has also improved rainfall and groundwater in areas like the Rift Valley and Awash Basin.
Ethiopia’s environmental improvement efforts benefit not only the country but also downstream nations by enhancing water resources in
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2024
