MoWE, partners vow to advance Awash basin management system

Sign strategic water management document

ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) along with pertinent institutions expressed commitment to advance the Awash basin resource management system to expedite sustainable socioeconomic development.

The Ministry along with other federal and state stakeholders signed yesterday the basin water resource management plan implementation platform to work cooperatively.

Speaking at the occasion, the MoWE State Minister Abraha Adugna (PhD) said that by reforming inclusive water management policies and strategies, the ministry has been carrying out extensive activities to manage the Awash basin’s immense potential.

Due to the lack of an integrated management plan platform, MoWE’s previous cooperation with respective basin administration institutions did not bring the desirable socioeconomic outcomes. The corporations are short of bringing the equitable and sustainable utilization of basin resources.

According to him, implementing this newly launched strategic basin plan, which embraces core thematic areas, would be a groundbreaking measure towards ensuring fair and equitable resource utilization and addressing unfair water use issues among beneficiaries.

The document deals with water allocation issues, water quality, flood and drought management, conservation and information system including stakeholders’ engagement and is of great significance to implement Ethiopia’s water policy effectively and inclusively. “Integrated water resource conservation activities have been carried out to tackle any possible harm to upper and lower water beneficiaries.”

The state minister also noted that the strategic document is an ideal platform to alleviate duplication of efforts in relation to basin water resources and other immense natural resources management activities.

Awash Basin Administration Office Water Use and Permit Desk Head Tasew Zewdie stated on the occa\sion that the plan helps develop watersheds, increase the capacities of dams and other hydroelectric facilitates.

Apart from meeting the growing water demand, such a document would also help increase the current irrigation potential to 340,000 hectares, Tasew added.

“About 85% of the Awash basin is currently utilized for agriculture and over 200,000 hectares of land is being cultivated by irrigation. In addition, the basin is also utilized for potable water, hydropower, livestock, fishery and tourist attractions.

Meticulous policy framework, political commitment and water cooperative framework initiatives are of great significance to ensure the basin management plan. Also, capacity building, awareness creation, technology advancement and canal modernization activities have played equal role for the same cause, the head remarked.

BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT

THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 18 MAY 2024

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