I want to congratulate all Ethiopians on the successful completion of the fourth round filling of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydropower plant. This is the outcome of the cooperation of all Ethiopians.
The cooperation we Ethiopians demonstrated in building the dam should be replicated in other national projects. The unity of citizens must be replicated once again in due course of emancipating the nation from poverty and underdevelopment.
There were a lot of challenges. We had been dragged backwards. We had encountered internal challenges and external pressures. We have overcome all these and managed to arrive at this stage. However, we have not yet completed climbing the uphill though we have just arrived at the top of the hill. By completing the fourth round filling successfully, we show to the generation Ethiopia’s power to achieve its intended plans.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) witnessing GERD’s 4th round filling
The fourth filling of the GERD is a huge success Ethiopia has registered withstanding diplomatic pressures. The pressure was so immense on Ethiopia since the beginning; the successful completion of the fourth filling has fully reversed the pressure against Ethiopia.
It is a big diplomatic victory for Ethiopia to complete the water filling according to plan. The success is the outcome of the contribution of the Ethiopian people.
Ethiopia has always taken into consideration the mutual benefit of neighboring downstream countries in its water development and the fourth round filling of the dam without any harm on the downstream countries proved Ethiopia’s stance.
Yacob Arsano, Associate Professor, GERD Negotiating Team Member and Hydro Politics Researcher commenting on the dam
The successful completion of the 4th round filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) shows that no challenge will stop Ethiopians when they stand together for one common goal.
Besides being a source of cooperation between the three riparian countries, the Great Renaissance Dam has practically demonstrated the fact that there will be no damage to the lower riparian countries. The completion of the 4th round filling opens a new chapter in the process of the construction of the dam.
Engineer Sileshi Bekele (PhD), GERD negotiating team leader, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States and former Minister of Water and Energy explaining current issues about the dam.
The successful completion of the fourth filling of the GERD is a confirmation of Ethiopia’s position not to cause harm to Egypt and Sudan.
Ethiopia has once again declared beyond any doubt that the country is only seeking development, after many speculated about the danger of filling in its various stages.
The fourth filling of the dam is a critical stage in which Ethiopia confirmed the fact that the country is moving in the right direction. Egypt and Sudan should share the joy with Ethiopia over the success of the fourth filling of the GERD since it has not brought any significant harm so far.
Mohammed Al-Arousi, Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy commenting about the dam
The overall construction of the GERD reaches over 93 % completion. The dam comprises left, right and middle sections and to reach the final stage, the left and right sections requires only 9 to 10 meters while the middle part needs up to 20 meters. Until next year, this part will be fully accomplished.
Currently, two turbines are producing energy. After the successful completion of the fourth round filling, in this budget year, five additional turbines would be added to generate energy. This fiscal year, the number of turbines producing energy from the GERD would increase into seven. These units will be operational soon.
Engineer Kifle Horo, GERD General Manager briefing higher government officials
The Ethiopian Herald September 16/2023
