The saying “Without Nile, there is no Egypt,” has implication on the significance of water for the prosperity of Egypt. As Nile is the longest river in the world, the river cuts across upstream and down-stream Africa countries. Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Eritrea are countries the Nile river snakes through. Among those African countries, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia’s banks quench thirsts from tributaries of Nile.
Some of the aforesaid African countries have been using the river for multi-purposes including development-oriented activities. For instance, Egypt and Sudan have been utilizing the river for irrigation, agricultural activity, fishing, water transport and recreational, among others.
As opposed to this, Ethiopia aims to use the tributaries for generating hydro-electric power for application of mega projects and fishing purposes only.Though Ethiopia is endowed with abundant rivers, lakes resources, it has not yet harnessed them properly and managed them well for multi-faceted activities.
Coming to our case, considering the rivers, beaches, shores and lakes as own sole state property and private endowment is inciting ethnic clashes. It as well is violating the chain command topped by the federal government.
And in exploiting the rivers, the experience of Egypt and Sudan is a wake-up call for the nation to introspect its resource management through value-chain and engaging in the activity of well-founded tourism industry. Handling water resource properly will be instrumental in averting possible conflicts, which is a clear and immediate danger in the near future throughout the world.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 18 August 2019
BY MEHARI BEYENE
