The construction pace of Abbay hydro dam (the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), whose foundation stone was laid by the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on April 2, 2011, is progressing well. Currently, the construction is nearing its final stage.
According to information obtained from the Office of the National Coordination for the Construction of GERD, the construction of the Dam has reached 95%; with the civil work has grown 98% while 78% of the electromechanical work has already been completed.
This week, the 13th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone the GERD is being marked under the theme: “Together, we’ve made it possible.” As part of this, various resource mobilization programs, including holding bond purchasing week, exhibitions, appreciation, recognition and other similar events would be carried out at the capital Addis Ababa and in various parts of the country, it was learnt.
Accordingly, at region level, a 5-km street race was carried out in various cities, zones and districts of Oromia State to rally support for the successful completion of the construction of the GERD.
In her recent press briefing Deputy Director General of the Office of National Coordination for the Construction of GERD, Fikirte Tamiru said that the hydro dam is a symbol of the nation that all Ethiopians have reached a consensus on this mega hydropower project being built on the Abbay River.
Mentioning that close to 19 billion Birr have been mobilized from the public by using various funding raising schemes the Deputy Director announced plan to collect 300 million Birr in the next campaigns from Ethiopians residing at home and abroad. She also urged all Ethiopians to further strengthen their unreserved support and realize the completion of the hydro dam, which is an emblem of their unity, commitment, persistence and pride.
True, the GERD is a seal that stamps the “Yes we can do mentality” among Ethiopians; and it is their pride that they are constructing it with their own money, energy and expertise. Most importantly, it is a Dam that Ethiopians completely thrash “they cannot do it” assumption and can practically demonstrate their unbeatable spirit, persistence and commitment to the world.
Regardless of any differences- religious, ethnic, ideological variances, educational background and economic status, or any other ways- Ethiopians have been backing the construction of the Dam by their own free will, aiming to see and pass on a better Ethiopia to the next generation. They have been backing the construction of the Dam by purchasing Dam bonds, contributing from their salaries as well as giving in the form of gifts. And without any foreign financial support, they have reached the point where they can reap the benefits of their efforts. Currently, standing on the verge of realizing their dream, they are reaffirming commitment to backing the construction of the Dam till it becomes a reality.
In a 5-km road run organized in Maya Town, Eastern Hararge Zone of Oromia State, in relation to the 13th anniversary of the launching of the Dam project, and to mobilize resources, participants of the competition renewed their unreserved commitment to backing the Dam in the future in every possible way.
At the competition, more than 10 thousand people drawn from East Hararge Zone and Maya town participated, and the ceremony was attended by senior officials of the zone and town administration, ENA reported.
Speaking at the event, Mayor of Maya Town Efrah Wezir (PhD) said that, GERD is an identity of Ethiopians; and the community of the East Hararge Zone and Maya Town Administration are doing their level best in the effort exerted to successfully complete the construction of the Dam.
Stating that the purpose of the road race is to further strengthen the support of the people for the Dam, Efrah called on the community to continue their usual support for the successful completion of the Dam.
It was also mentioned that since the day the cornerstone of the Dam was laid, more than half-a-billion Birr has been gained from East Hararge Zone through bond purchase and gifts.
In similar manner, the commitment and determination of the Diaspora community residing in every corner of the world has been huge and beyond words. Ethiopians in the Diaspora community have been extending all-round support to the construction of the Dam to help achieve the desired ambition- to build the Dam, generate power and address the challenges of those citizens who have no access to electricity (close to 60%) and advance the overall development of the country. The Ethiopian Diaspora, apart from buying special bonds issued for this same purpose and making donations, played a crucial role in revealing the real intention of Ethiopia and in defending its interest in the global platforms.
According to Communication Director of the Ethiopian Diaspora Service Wondwossen Girma, Ethiopians and foreigners of Ethiopian origin in the Diaspora have been supporting the construction of the Dam financially, professionally, and in other ways.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency, Wondwossen said that, aside from their active engagement in public diplomacy and advocacy activities, the Diasporas have been contributing over 50 million USD for the construction of the Dam in bond purchase, donation, and in some other ways.
As to him, Diaspora community from all walks of life has been demonstrating overwhelming participation in public gatherings, discussions with the Dam negotiating teams, running campaigns on twitter, and other kinds of activities to fight the unjustified pressure of some interest groups.
“Accordingly, the Diaspora community has held massive demonstrations in major cities across the globe and denounced those groups’ unwarranted pressure and the attempt to block their home country’s aspiration to prosper.”
The community has also been actively engaged in awareness- raising campaigns on the positive outcomes of the mega Dam for the downstream countries and communicating Ethiopia’s commitment to ensure mutual benefits in the utilization of cross-border resources.
The Director also extended calls for increased support for the completion of the Dam that has immense capability to transform Ethiopia’s agrarian economy and to expedite development endeavors in their homeland.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 2 APRIL 2024
