The GERD has been a source of inspiration and force of unity for Ethiopians. Many Ethiopians had therefore shown due cooperation towards the successful and timely completion of the dam. Employees have been contributing money from their salaries.
Merchants have also contributed a large sum of money from their profits. Artists, athletes, students etc have all devoted whatever they could for the realization of the project. However, contrary to the expectation of the people, the project’s progress has delayed. This has discouraged many citizens and made them desperate about the possibility of the project.
The latest report by the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy to the House of Peoples’ Representatives indicates that the total construction of the project has reached 65 percent of which the total civil works of the dam reached 82 percent while the general electro mechanical works remains 25 percent.
This means except the delay of the project, all the activities carried out so far have been accomplished with the intended quality and standard. Therefore the only thing that the contractors of the project have to make up in the continuation of the project’s construction is to do their best to complete the project as soon as possible. Currently the project is intended to be completed in four years.
As the saying goes better late than never, people should renew their commitment for the successful continuation of the project. Whatever the duration of the project, the outcome is worth waiting and paying sacrifice. The dam will generate 6000 megawatts of electricity up on completion which is likely to raise the current level of electric power coverage in the country. In addition to significantly addressing the electric power needs of the country for various purposes, it is also likely to help the country’s economic development by generating foreign currency from the export of electric power to neighboring countries.
On top of that the dam is going to help in the development of tourism and fishery among others. Hence despite the loss incurred by the delay, it is important to note that the mega project is still worthy of commitment. Currently Ethiopia is undergoing an all rounded process of change. The change has also received warm welcome from public.
As a result on the first quarter of the current fiscal year the public has somehow continued its contribution to the dam and made a financial contribution of more than 340 million birr, according to the Coordination Office of the dam’s construction.
As compared to the total amount of funding required to complete the dam, a lot of hard work remains ahead in further agitating the public and raise the required finance. Therefore the office should take the peoples’ inspiration for change as a good chance to revitalize the public participation and realize the intended completion of the dam on the right time and standard.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 5/2019
BY MESERET BEHAILU
