ADDIS ABABA – The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) Coordination Project Office announced that the Diaspora have contributed over 40 million Birr to the dam during the just ended Ethiopian fiscal year.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), Office Public Relations and Media Communication Deputy-Director, Fikrte Tamir said that the contribution of the Ethiopian Diaspora to the construction of the dam, in terms of buying bonds, offering gifts and involving in other fundraising programs, is ever increasing.
She further stated that the Diasporas have raised over 40 million Birr, and also fellow Ethiopians contributed close to 1.145 billion Birr for Abay dam in the same stated period.
Moreover, the office managed to collect close to 147 million Birr via 8100A SMS platform and contributed a non-refundable grant of over 113 million Birr to Abay Dam. Besides, the nation managed to collect above 18 billion Birr over the past 12 years, she remarked.
According to the project office, the construction of the Dam now reaches 92%. She said, “The number of the visitors who are coming to visit the Dam is increasing, and this helps develop the hotel industry in Asossa Town.
Analyzing the performance of the concluded fiscal year performance, the office has projected to amass some 1.5 billion Birr in 2016 Ethiopian budget year, she noted.
She further stated that the bond purchase platform is the main source of resource mobilization, which is believed to improve the communities’ saving culture. Here, the contributions of the government employees residing in the towns take the lion’s share.
“The office has also been undertaking various initiatives such as bond week and renaissance tour with a view to mobilizing resources throughout the country and this needs to be strengthened,” she recommended.
She called on scholars, especially serving in universities, Diaspora and stakeholders to stand with this flagship project that enhances people-to-people ties and public diplomacy with neighboring countries.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 22 JULY 2023
