ADDIS ABABA (ENA) – The construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) being built on the Nile River is a development and economic right for Ethiopia to benefit from its natural resources, a renowned Author and Researcher on African affairs said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA Arabic Service, Professor Hally Yahya said the construction of GERD signifies the country has started to utilize its natural resource, which he termed as “logical and natural justice for this country without harming others.”
Criticizing Egypt’s stand on GERD, the author said Egypt wants to keep its hydropower hegemony on the Nile River.
“Egypt should narrow its difference as dam is beneficial to the three riparian countries including Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan,” he said.
Appreciating Ethiopia on its fair and transparent approach on the issue of GERD negotiation, Professor Hally urged for the tripartite talks to be consolidated for the mutual benefits of the three countries.
Ethiopia’s move to build the GERD has dated back in the 1960’s after the American experts studied the Blue Nile or Abbay River basin for hydropower generation, he noted.
“The Egyptians must be aware of the fact that Ethiopia did not put forward this project today, but it has been on the table since the 1960s. Even after the construction of Aswan Dam, there is an American study indicating that four dams can be built in the Blue Nile basin,” he said.
Stating the U.S. Treasury, which oversees the talks between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, Hally said Ethiopia should not accept the unfair mediation which harms the very interest of Ethiopians.
“This is a violation of the Ethiopian right to the equitable use of natural resources, and Ethiopia has to make a sound decision to withdraw from the negotiation. It is not fair and guarantee for the development rights of Ethiopia in particular and to the Nile Basin countries in general,” he underlined.
The Ethiopian Herald April 3/2020
GERD 9th year commencement celebrated with panel discussion
ADDIS ABABA (FBC) – Ethiopia today celebrated the 9th year of the start of construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) with a panel discussion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy said any external pressures and challenges from inside couldn’t deter the progress of the project.
The dam will start holding 4.9 billion cubic meters of water next rainy season, the Minister said.
Engineer Ashebir Balcha, Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) CEO, said the dam is progress well and could start holding water next July.
However, if plans to hold water is not achieved due to a variety of reasons, the country will lose up to €1 billion in one year, he said.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is now 72.4%, said Engineer Kifle Horo, General Manager of the project.
Roman Gebreselassie, Head of Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of Dam, said Ethiopians from inside and abroad have so far contributed 13.4 billion Birr for the dam.
GERD is scheduled to be fully completed in 2023.
The Ethiopian Herald April 3/2020
