Since the past eight years Ethiopia has been working to develop its water resource, The Abay River, to generate hydroelectric power and alleviate the acute shortage of power, which nearly 65 percent of its population is still out of the grid, boost up its economic growth in a manner keeping the international water laws and causing no significant harm to downstream countries.
Currently, the construction of the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) is going well and has reached close to 73 percent of completion level; assisted by the unwavering support of Ethiopians.
On the ninth anniversary of the start of the GERD project few weeks ago, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed the country’s plan to start filling the dam in July. Calling the dam a symbol of sovereignty and unity, the Premier said: “The current coronavirus outbreak should not hinder us from completing the project.”
It is true, for Ethiopians, the dam is an emblem of national pride and a means to ensure future development and overcome poverty. Thus, Ethiopians regardless of any difference eager to see the successful completion of the dam and do whatever they can to realize their dream.
Recently, the ninth anniversary of the start of the construction of the dam was marked on mass media, with a press conference held by Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister, Dr. Engineer Seleshi Bekele, due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Speaking in relation to the anniversary, Dr. Engineer Seleshi said that despite the Corona virus attack, construction at the dam is proceeding as planned and every care is taken to protect workers from the virus. “We want to meet the increasing demands for energy at home and become the center of green and clean energy production in East Africa”.
He also thanked the Ethiopian people for the support they have brought to the GERD and asked them to do so in the future too because, as the dam is not an ordinary dam like any other; but a symbol of national unity and solidarity in the country.
It is clear the dam is not an ordinary one for Ethiopians. Rather, it is a hallmark of unity that has created national consensus among Ethiopians, bound them together as one. It is also the symbol of national pride. The flagship is an end for Ethiopians years’ resentment and a response for their aspiration to dam the River. All the same, it is a means to country’s development ambitions to unchain citizens from quagmire of poverty.
That is why Ethiopians have a sense of ownership for the dam and finance the project in every possible way.
This was proven from the commencement of the dam. Ethiopians, from all walks of life, have been financing the construction of the dam through purchasing bonds, offering monthly salary voluntarily, taking part in SMS and events organized to raise funds plus making contributions privately and through banks.
Even at this critical time, the participation of the public is not interrupted.
According to the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation to the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), during the past nine months over 530 million Birr has been collected from the public.
As Roman Gebreselassie, Office Director-General told ENA last week, the public, concurrent to the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, has continued financing the GERD. Even after the pandemic breakout, Ethiopians have donated millions of Birr for the construction of the dam.
Apart from the support delivered through the SMS fundraising initiative, bonds bought and contributions made through banks and privately, over 14 million Birr was donated to the Office directly, she said.
Extending her gratitude, Roman also urged the public to sustain their contributions and fight the pandemic at the same time.
The Ethiopian Herald April 29/2020
BY STAFF REPORTER
