ADDIS ABABA – The Office of the National Council for Coordination of Public Participation in the Construction of the Abbay Dam has proposed the formation of a civil society organization (CSO) forum.
It was learnt that the forum is dedicated to protecting the dam from alluvial sedimentation and promoting reforestation in the degraded Abbay River gorge.
Speaking during a panel discussion with CSO representatives yesterday, the Council Office Director General Aregawi Berhie (PhD) emphasized the urgent need for collective environmental conservation efforts to rehabilitate the severely degraded gorge. He stressed that establishing a CSO forum would enhance coordinated activities focused on preserving both the Abbay Dam reservoir and the surrounding ecosystem.
“It is not just about preventing sediment from accumulating in the dam,” he said. “It is also about safeguarding water sources that downstream countries rely on.”
With the dam nearing completion, Aregawi called for immediate and large-scale interventions, including tree planting and riverbank restoration, to strengthen water conservation and environmental resilience.
Reflecting on the challenges encountered over the past 14 years of dam construction—including external pressures—he urged civil society and the public to intensify their environmental efforts. “Our current actions are not enough. We must act now to protect both our national project and our natural resources,” he stressed.
Water and Land Resources Director Gete Zeleke (PhD)also spoke at the event and highlighted that alluvial sedimentation poses a significant threat to the long-term sustainability of the dam.
“If we can prevent even 70 percent of sedimentation, the dam’s lifespan could extend beyond 300 years—three times longer than originally projected,” he stated.
Gete also advocated for engaging downstream countries in regional environmental conservation initiatives. “Protecting the Abbay River is a shared responsibility, and conservation efforts benefit all riparian nations,” he noted.
He endorsed the proposal to establish a CSO forum, describing it as a pivotal step that aligns with the final phase of dam construction. He also underscored the essential role of communities in achieving lasting environmental outcomes.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025
