ADDIS ABABA – The effective accomplishment of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will have a paramount importance in augmenting the lives of pastoralist communities, said Samuel Tefera Alemu (PhD), an Assistant Professor and Asian Desk Coordinator at the Center for African and Oriental Studies, Addis Ababa University.
As to him, energy shortage makes pastoralists’ life desperate since the investment and developmental projects are yet put in place around, said adding, the Dam will enhance relevant project construction which in turn will directly support pastoralists.
“There are high interest and commitment on behalf of pastoralists to work with energy development aiming at supporting their livelihood as they have been challenged for year due to the absence of energy supply,” he noted.
Pastoralists in Ethiopia have not witnessed meaningful developmental changes as a number of national policies failed to consider developmental projects following energy shortage and some other reasons, he added.
“Unlike the past, pastoralist communities are now having a great desire to commercialize livestock despite the fact Qthat the pace of investment there is quite sluggish. The recurrent severe droughts are also harming the livestock industry and responding to the shocks timely is imperative to beef up developmental projects,” he said.
And most of socio-economic hurdles (in Ethiopian pastoralist Communities) have resulted from the absence of developmental projects, which are directly or indirectly caused by energy shortage, according to Dr. Samuel.
The Ethiopian Herald June 26, 2020
BY YESUF ENDRIS
