The construction of a grand dam in Ethiopia is, no doubt, instrumental in providing almost all African societies with energy, helping to balance variability in water availability with demand for multiple uses, allowing power generation as well as offering fortification against detrimental floods.
Putting the truth aside, finger counted Horn nations are heard of accusing Ethiopia of using its natural rights. This is entirely unacceptable if thought logically. No matter how loud the voices of anti-Ethiopian elements are, Ethiopia and Ethiopians have been committed than ever to translate theories into practical deeds via effectively completing the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is strongly believed to help the country bring about sustainable socio-economic development in the Horn.
Aside from being a backbone to Ethiopia’s economy, the Dam will give an impetus to the ongoing socio-economic growth of each riparian country. Undeniably, it is not a single project for Ethiopia; instead it is a regional project aspiring to interconnect the region and perfectly suits the African Union (AU) regional integration agenda as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) vision.
As Ethiopian has been integrating the whole of Africa via air transportation, GERD will also be a viable avenue to trek towards development and prosperity side to side electrifying the continent. Hence, the proper accomplishment of the Dam will turn more than 60 million citizens from darkness solely in Ethiopia and will improve the lives of millions of people in the Horn of Africa in particular and the entire continent and beyond in general. In so doing, Ethiopia will become the second-largest producer of electricity in sub-Saharan Africa next to South Africa upon completion of the GERD.
Interestingly, Ethiopia is currently exporting power to Sudan and Djibouti and it is on the way to export power to Kenya, Tanzania, and other East African countries in near future. Hence, the economic significance of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to the Eastern Nile Economies is very noteworthy as its economy-wide effect is positive for all countries including Egypt, reflecting a win-win outcome. Surely, the benefits of the GERD should be seen in the wider basin-wide economic perspective.
Yes, the construction of reservoirs needs to be interpreted as an effort to improve the facilities and infrastructure of east African society in a sustainable manner by utilizing the advancement of science and technology. Hence, GERD project should by no means be a source of confrontation, but that of all rounded cooperation.
If truth be told, the colossal benefit it will offer to all riparian countries is by far greater than the minor damages what Egypt and Sudan recurrently expound. Thus, close cooperation has to be given priority for the successful accomplishment of this African water pride.
The continent especially Egypt and Sudan must be well aware of equating the continent’s economy with the ever-increasing human demand for water and related services. That is well developing water resources. This idea is also directly related to what Ethiopia is currently capitalizing—GERD construction.
So long as it is a worthwhile means to address the economic hurdles of the Horn, all counties are expected to cooperate with Ethiopia instead of orchestrating futile attempts to hold back the completion of this precious project. It is really a timely call for all the concerned to think and rethink about GERD if they are to benefit from it and grow along with Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Herald April 3/2021
