Being a basic need to sustain life, water lost its value compared to the value of supplementary needs like gas. Though it covers three fourth of the crust of the earth and it is a unique feature of this beautiful planet, only few nations are able to make use of the blue economy as a driving force of their economy.
It seems that Ethiopians have now begun to value and reconcile with water, the valuable gift that nature blesses their country with abundantly. But, the country hardly made use of this precious resource for ages.
Currently, besides becoming an engine of development through extensive hydropower generation, water, the precious wealth of the country, has also become a savior during emergency situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. This has become the fact without putting in place the necessary infrastructure.
The value of water seemed to have been grabbing the concern of the nation following the outbreak of the global pandemic COVID-19. The effort of the state
in preventing and handling the case would have been in vain if Ethiopia had not had sufficient water supply as washing hands is one of the principal preventive measures recommended by relevant authorities.
Would the country be able to have one of the lowest COVID-19 cases had it been for the abundant water resources is a question. True, the supply of potable water by the concerned authorities is not yet adequate. But, the people have a chance to harvest water as it has been raining. In fact, it is not even the main rainy season.
On the other hand, Ethiopia’s plans for economic growth call for expansion in irrigated agriculture, manufacturing, hydropower, and municipal water supply – all of which depend on reliably available water. At the same time, Ethiopia’s population is set to nearly double by 2050, increasing the country’s overall thirst. This demand for water is clustered in cities, which are home today to nearly 20 percent of Ethiopians, compared to only 6 percent in 1960 according to the World Resources
Institute.
Thus, advancing water security and economic development while reducing poverty require a diverse set of actors. Government, the private sector, development banks, and civil society all have important roles to play in developing effective water security policies and investments.
For Ethiopia, continued economic growth will depend upon wise management of its water resources and can be done in ways that are environmentally sustainable and don’t exclude vulnerable populations. By continuing to scale up smart solutions and promoting water-centered development, this country can tackle the economy, environment, and equity issues at the same time.
The Ethiopian government envisaged water as a supreme development drive force setting National Water Strategy. The overall goal of the national water resources management policy is: to enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient, equitable, and optimum utilization
of the available water resources of Ethiopia for significant socio-economic development on a sustainable basis. To realize this goal, the Government has spelled out a wide range of policies.
The Hydro Power Strategy is one of the most remarkable development components in the water sector. The principal objective of the hydropower development strategy is to guide the development of potential hydropower resources as permissible by economic feasibility, and by social and environmental constraints, to meet the present and future domestic demand and, if possible, to generate additional hydropower to cater for the demand of neighboring external markets.
Trans-boundary waters will be managed in compliance with the international covenants adopted by Ethiopia, allowing Ethiopia to ascertain its entitlement and use of these waters. Efforts will continue to promote fair regional co-operation on the efficient use of trans-boundary waters with the riparian countries.
The Ethiopian Herald May 7/2020
BY LAKACHEW ATINAFU
