ADDIS ABABA – Steelworks get 20 percent completed at the site of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) while civil and electro-mechanical works hitting 87 percent and 46 percent respectively, GERD Project Manager Eng. Kifle Horo told The Ethiopian Herald.
The adequate precautionary tasks accomplished and an early preparation at the project site aiming at countering the effects of COVID-19 has enhanced the project execution capability at the site, according to him.
The overall project accomplishment has reached 73 percent, he said. He said most of the required construction inputs are manufactured at home and the project has faced no setback concerning input supplies.
Regarding the global pandemic COVID-19, he said the quarantine centers have been established to prevent the potential spread of the pandemic whilst all precautionary measures are being taken, he added.
The Dam is being built with state-of-the-art 21st Century engineering, RCC, based on earlier experiences including a proven achievement at the domestic level at the Gilgel Gibe III Dam. He said the initial filling starts by the coming June.
Earlier in April, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said filling the GERD begins by the coming rainy season, and urged all Ethiopians to fully implement the preventive measures to fight the Coronavirus.
In his message to the Ethiopian people in connection with the 9th anniversary GERD, the prime minister said the country faces two challenges, namely the outbreak of the Corona communicability and the completion of the dam that should be overcome as The Ethiopian Herald reported.
The Ethiopian Herald April 24/2020
BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
