• Preparing response to Egypt’s complaint to UNSC over filling GERD
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has made public that it will start filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the coming July and preparing a response letter to Egypt’s recent complaint to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over Ethiopia’s plan to fill the dam.
The above remark came yesterday when Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Dr. Seleshi Bekele presented the report prepared by GERD’s technical committee at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
The Minister reiterated on the occasion that filling of the dam will begin in the upcoming July and the country is also preparing an appropriate response to the letter which Egypt had submitted to the UNSC complaining Ethiopia’s plan to fill the dam.
According to EBC, the discussions following the presentation focused on the outlook and benefits of the dam to downstream riparian countries and Ethiopia’s commitment to fair and equitable use of Nile waters.
“Ethiopia aspires to grow and the foundation of this growth is our economic development anchored in utilization of our natural endowments,” Prime Minister Abiy said at the event.
“A symbol of Ethiopia’s and Africa’s progress, we remain committed to fair and equitable usage of Nile waters for the shared economic benefits of Ethiopia and downstream riparian countries,” the Premier added.
Currently the overall progress of GERD project has reached 73 percent whilst the civil engineering works are at 87 percent. The dam is expected to be completed in 2023.
The Ethiopian Herald May 12/2020
BY STAFF REPORTER
