BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
“Ethiopia once used to be called a breadbasket of Africa because of the many rivers flowing year-round; and blessed with agricultural land suitable for farming with varying level of ecology. External pressures and proxy wars waged over the years have caused greater instability, making it difficult to divert resources for infrastructure development.
As a result, the country has remained one of the most impoverished nations on the planet”, says an article wrote by Yalemzewd Nigussie a year ago under the title “The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD): A Quest for Surviving Abject Poverty.”
True, Ethiopia though is the source of Abay River and almost 85 percent of the water that flows into Nile River is generated from its highlands, for long the nation was not able to develop its river and improve the livelihood of its own people for various reasons; both internal and external factors; of course.
While other countries advancing their economies and improving the life standard of their people through developing the Abay River, the vast majority of Ethiopians compelled to live in abject of poverty. As studies indicate over 60 percent of Ethiopian population live in darkness, lacking access to electricity while Egypt that contributes nothing to the river enjoying 100 percent of electric power.
Luckily, as everyone will have his own successful moments in life, since the past decade things are changing for the better and a time that heralds Ethiopia’s renaissance is nearing.
Currently, the nation is on its pathway to breaking the quagmire of the poverty trap, to transform the lives of millions of Ethiopians who were handcuffed by the chain of poverty and outshine victoriously.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which was launched a decade ago with the purpose of generating electricity and lessening the burden of Ethiopians by curbing energy shortage is about to bear fruit.
Last Thursday, it was announced that the flagship Dam, which is an emblem of Ethiopians unity, symbol of their pride and dignity, has started electricity production from its second turbine.
Heralding the good news Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the GERD is the historical project on which Ethiopians have invested their labor, money and knowledge. “It is easy to go through history; however, making history is a victory,” the Premier remarked.
All Ethiopians should be proud of being the owner of this achievement. He also extended his heartfelt gratitude to all actors who support the construction of the Dam with their money, knowledge, energy, expertise in the diplomatic sphere as well as other streams for being owners of the success story.
Saying that it is worthless to have a happy home full of light and comfortable situation without peace, he said that everyone is duty-bound to exert utmost effort in terms striving for peace and creating a stable and preferable country.
He further elucidated that it is high time for the downstream countries to collaboratively run activities for common good in unison with Ethiopia via developing water resources.
Nothing can stop Ethiopia’s prosperity and the success that started with the Renaissance Dam, it will continue in other areas as well, he assured.
This year’s achievements registered in Green Legacy, export trade and wheat productivity will encourage and motivate us to strive for more work and better success in the coming year, the Premier added.
Urging downstream countries to work closely with Ethiopia regarding the GERD, Prime Minister Abiy said Ethiopia, as always, abided by the principle of mutual development and equitable utilization; and is persistent with its stand to hold discussions and work closely with regard to the Dam.
Following the success, the Premier congratulated all Ethiopians and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those who are working tirelessly to bring this grand Ethiopian dream to realization.
Government Communication Service also expressed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as it is light and banquet for Ethiopians.
As the office stated in its statement, the commencement of producing electricity from the two turbines will take the construction of the dam to a higher level by increasing the power generation capacity that started months ago.
The Renaissance Dam, which is the largest power generation project in Africa, is a project that shows Ethiopians’ potential, indicates our development needs, and highlights peoples’ collective success.
As to the statement, the dam is one of the showcases that depict the people of Ethiopia can do whatever they plan without the support of foreign countries.
It is also a great achievement that can show that the multifaceted benefits of the dam come to fruition.
Mentioning that Ethiopians regardless of any differences have been supporting the construction of the dam, experts have been carrying out activities 24 hours a day. Likewise, the Ethiopian Defense Forces and other federal and regional security forces are making a great contribution by actively protecting the area where the construction of the dam is taking place.
Not only that, through digital diplomacy, Ethiopian children living at home and abroad are contributing greatly to the continuation of the construction process of the dam by resisting, exposing and aborting the misinformation campaign against the dam and informing the world about the truth of Ethiopia.
This is a national pride that is recognized in history. Being an unreserved professional patriotism devoted to the development of the country is a favor to the people and the country.
Undeniably, the success gained – the power generation of the second turbine of the Renaissance Dam – is the result of the great contribution of all Ethiopians in all walks of life .
This all-out fight should continue until the construction of the dam is completed and even in other development endeavors, the statement added.
The victory achieved so far attested as Ethiopians would be model for Africa in realizing the construction of the dam by joining hands and working together committedly and determinedly.
GERD is an African project that has created awareness that Africa can develop and prosper on its own.
The completion of the dam will also lessen the burden of several Ethiopian women who are bound to carry heavy backbreaking bundle of firewood in their day to day activities, it added.
The Ethiopian Herald August 13/2022
