– Citizens bond purchase surpasses 970 mln. Birr
ADDIS ABABA – Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) said the government is committed to accelerate and finalize the construction of GERD.
Office Communication Director Hailu Abraham told The Ethiopian Herald that to finalize the construction on time, the government has given due emphasis to speeding up the delayed hydraulics and electro-mechanical works.
He also added that the effort is to catch up with the civil works which are going as per schedule. The construction doesn’t need too much manpower as the remaining works are mainly technical. Currently, the construction is being undertaken by mainly focusing on electro-mechanical works.
As to him, the construction of the dam has facilitated technology transfer and GERD is expected to be the center of excellence for water research and study in the country. So far, citizens have purchased over 970 million Birr worth of bond in support of GERD’s construction in the just-ended fiscal year.
He also recalled that the 100 years feasibility study has assured that the construction of the dam will not harm the water supply of downstream countries.
Ethiopia has no intention to monopolize the water supply of the Nile as it is working for mutual benefits with riparian countries. “At this time, the major focus of the government is to carry on with the construction while at the same time engaging in negotiations with Nile Basin countries.” The completion of the construction of the dam will cost about 130 to 150 billion Birr.
The Ethiopian Herald August 29/2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
