Just like they enjoy the freedom which is bestowed upon them by the bravery of their forefathers at the Battle of Adwa, Ethiopians have been patiently waiting to enjoy the fruits of their labor – the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
True, if Ethiopians could name a single most influential event in their country’s history, most certainly, they would single out the victory of Adwa against the colonial power of Italy which makes the country one of the only two African countries never to be colonized.
The rival nobility, traditional warriors, farmers, pastoralists, as well as women, defeated a well-armed Italian army in the northern town of Adwa in Ethiopia. The outcome of this battle ensured Ethiopia’s independence. The 1896 victory also made the country a beacon of freedom to all black and oppressed people of the world.
As has been witnessed on Monday, on the celebration of the 124th Adwa, the victory has instilled a sense of pride, patriotism, meaning and belonging in the minds and hearts of Ethiopians. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that, after a century, the project that is managed to attract the same level of public commitment and euphoria is the commencement of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a hydropower dam on the Blue Nile River that has been under construction since 2011.
At the end of the works, the power station comprises 16 Francis turbines with a total installed power of 6,000 MW. From the start, the government revealed its intentions to build the Dam by mobilizing internal resources. The government has then issued a bond targeted at Ethiopians in the country and abroad and the public responded by actively participating and purchasing a large amount of bond.
The project is made up of three parts; civil works which are now 87 percent complete, the steelworks which are going a bit slow with 70 percent completed and the electromechanical works set 35 percent. This shows the Dam is 71.2 percent complete. Ethiopia is planning to start filling the reservoir next June and will be able to start producing electricity a year later.
When all the turbines are completed, the Dam will be able to produce a little more than 6,000 MW enough to satisfy Ethiopia’s need and export electricity to other regions.
From time to time, it has been observed that Ethiopians have almost a similar view of GERD as that of Adwa. No other project has been linked to Adwa as that of GERD. The simple fact that demonstrates this is the active participation of Ethiopians from all walks of life in the affairs of the GERD. Ethiopians see GERD as a milestone project that could change the country’s course of history for the better.
Hence, the whole world should know that GERD has an immense place in the hearts and minds of the people who are committed more than ever to finalize it. Not only that, it is also the belief of all Ethiopians that they want to share this resource with their brothers and sister and that it is not their intention to harm anybody’s interest.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 5/2020
