Paving ways for mutual benefit!
Tesfaye Lemma
More than 60 percent of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has been completed so far. Amidst a number of challenges and misunderstandings, its allover construction is moving as it was scheduled from the very day of the laying of the foundation stone of the Dam.
It is the strong enthusiasm of the people of Ethiopia at home and abroad that contributed to the progress made. The people have been renewing their pledge every year that strengthened their unreserved support.
It is so significant that the emerging economy needs to be accompanied by parallel developments like power. This fast-paced and sustainable growth in the country coerced the need for an increased and sufficient power supply and electricity to remain substantial and inevitable.
In fact, it was started in an intention of not only to increase electric power for domestic consumption and development but also with the aim of exporting power to neighboring countries to help them develop. Besides, it will contribute in enhancing economic integration and build people-to-people ties of the countries in the region.
Furthermore, the Dam had further boosted national unity and the consensus among Ethiopian nations, nationalities and peoples. All Ethiopians believe that this Dam is a symbol of their national identity with many facets.
The collaboration among all Ethiopians in support of the construction of the Dam helped the government to cover the total construction cost from domestic sources. Available documents indicated that since the laying of the foundation stone of the Dam, the public has pledged more than 12 billion Birr. Besides, there are a large number of Ethiopians who have been participating through the knowledge and as their country’s diplomat in different parts of the world.
The commutable cooperation between Ethiopians at home and abroad has cemented the foundation of the building of this historical Dam. From the very beginning of the launching of the construction of the Dam, some individuals, groups and media had been propagating as if the construction of the Dam could inflict a significant impact on the downstream countries: the Sudan and Egypt.
Although it was hard at the very beginning, the Ethiopian government has been continuing its negotiations with riparian countries on the basis of the previously agreed framework as well as on the basis of agreement on fair share and the mutual trust and benefit of the Nile waters.
Many scholars, however, believe that the Dam could play a key role in the country’s green growth strategy. It could be a model for other countries in the continent.
According to data from the Ethiopian Electric Utility the electric power coverage has reached 55 percent and once GERD is fully operating it will add 15, 692 GWh of average energy to the national grid. Besides, the Dam would have an impact on improving water resources, providing Sudan and Egypt with important benefits as well as its contributions too.
The Ethiopian government has been attempting to create a win-win solution to Nile Basin Countries. There is need to have fair and equitable share among all upstream and downstream countries. Efforts have exerted to mitigate misunderstandings in connection to the construction of the Dam.
Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan continued tripartite discussions for the past six years. They had still discussing on some issues of concern. The Sudan has early comprehended the contribution of the Dam to the countries in the region and it has been cooperating with Ethiopia.
However, there are hopes at sometimes and glooms at other times. Sometimes the relations between Ethiopia and Egypt have strained and at other times it ignites hope of ray since construction began in 2011.
The Ethiopian government has a consistent position since the inception of the construction of the Dam that the country has no intention to inflict any harm on the downstream countries. The major objective of the construction of GERD is to facilitate the realization of its struggles against poverty through ensuring sustainable economic growth.
The notion behind this Dam is backing poverty alleviation program of the country. If the country is to sustain its development, it must harness its natural resource including water. Ethiopia, as it is endowed with ample water and situated at highlands, there is huge potential for hydro power development. But Ethiopia has repeatedly expressed that it wants to enhance mutual benefit and a win-win solution.
This could be done in cooperation with other upstream and the downstream countries that all countries could be benefited from the cooperation.
There is need to enhance mutual understanding and respect between Ethiopia and downstream countries. Ethiopia and the Sudan have already in such system. They are cooperating in trade, investment, security and other areas.
The Sudan has realized that Ethiopia’s effort in building the Dam could eventually benefit all countries in the region. The two countries reached at a consensus that cooperation is the best solution for their development and the benefit of the two people as the Nile Basin is huge enough to accommodate all states along it.
Besides, Ethiopia has been working in collaboration with other upper riparian states through the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement in a bid to ensure an equitable utilization of water among riparian states. In fact, this was begun in May 2010.
Though different studies have conducted by groups chosen by the three countries Ethiopia, the Sudan and Egypt, results indicated that the Grand Ethiopian renaissance Dam will never inflict any significant harm to downstream countries.
For instance, the surveys conducted by the Ethiopian scholars before the launching of the Dam indicated that both downstream countries would be benefited from the construction of the Dam. This was also confirmed by the International Panel of Experts (IPE) about the impact of the dam on water flow and its standard. It assured that the Dam has not only an insignificant impact on the water flow but also that it meets its international standards. In all the surveys it was ascertained that the dam reduces the damages the two countries have been facing of flood every year whenever the water level of the Nile is rising particularly during the rainy seasons.
The visionary leader Ex-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi once told an Egyptian Television that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will reduce the amount of silt that usually filled the dams in downstream countries and caused them to spend a ransom of money that the Sudan, for instance, allotted 70 percent of its water budget for this purpose. It is also repeatedly said that the two countries could get constant amount of water throughout the year no matter whether it is in the rainy or dry seasons.
It is also important to mention the other significance of the construction of GERD to both downstream countries. They could buy cheap electricity from Ethiopia that could help them to develop their industry. Despite the ill will of the some groups, the three countries better enhance their cooperation for mutual benefit. This effort has to be strengthened well.
This could be possible if Ethiopians understand that Egypt had no choice other than the Nile Water and Egyptians comprehend that the Nile water is crucial for Ethiopians to get their daily bread so that there will be mutual understanding.