It is to be recalled that Ethiopia engaged in multilateral dialogue with Sudan and Egypt with the role of the United States and World Bank as observers. The talks which were supposed to progress to four rounds and conclude successfully got stalled as the final outcome tended to go against the unwavering interest of Ethiopia.
Though the people anticipated a lot from the series of talks, they have ended up with no deal. But the people still fervently support the government’s stance to make the deal one that maintains their best benefit and interest. As well-known Ethiopia is endowed with many natural resources. However it has not yet adequately utilized its resources. As a result it has failed to support the growth of its economy and the living standard of the people.
Among the resources are the various river basins in different corners. Most of these river basins are irrigable as well as could be harnessed for other development purposes like electric power generation. So far it has developed some of the river basins for irrigation and electric power generation purposes.
Yet it still has to work more on harnessing these resources and help grow the economy and ensure brighter future. One of such endeavor is the construction of the renaissance dam. Ethiopia envisages producing a huge sum of electric power that can serve as much electricity for the local people as well as make foreign currency by exporting to neighboring countries.
However the construction of the dam has passed through formidable challenges. These challenges are passed because of the determination of the people to see a standing heritage that carries their finger print to the future.
Hence unlike many other mega projects that were realized in the country, the people have additional and more special focus to the GERD. The general public considers the dam not as a mere source of electric power but as a source of synergy and pride, among others. That is why the public contributed immensely indifferent ways to the successful completion of the dam.
Unusually too, hundreds of thousands of people have also travelled to the project site to see the timely progress. It is not the kind other projects which they wait until its inauguration and watch on TV. This has never happened in the case of many other projects. This is one of the manifestations of the peoples unwavering stance to each and every aspect of the dam.
Hence the government should keep up with its current stance of making a fruitful deal for the filling and operation of the dam, which the people, the owners, view beyond its economic significance.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 22/2020
