Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
Ethiopians vow to renew commitment in realizing GERD
Tesfaye Lemma
It is customary for anyone to have an unforgettable moment. Such incidences could happen to everyone. The 2011 is the year where quite unforgettable issue had taken place. It is not about one person’s memory but about one hundred million peoples’ unforgettable year.
The year all Ethiopians never forget as it the time during which the good news of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was launched. At that moment there were various analyses given against the plan to construct the huge hydro-electric dam.
One of these analyses was the prophesy that many analysts prophesized on the incapability of building such a huge Dam on the Nile River. Financial constraints and human capacity were the two constraints those analysts used to justify their analysis about the impossibility of constructing such a huge Dam on the Nile River.
That analysis has some truth of grains for Ethiopia was one of the poorest countries in the world where its name is used as an example for famine in Oxford English Learner’s Dictionary. It is not so surprising to hear that Ethiopia as it had so deteriorated economy in the 1990s to finance a project costing such a huge amount of money.
The other justification was the fact that Ethiopia had no well trained and skilled manpower who could shoulder the responsibility of constructing such project. Besides, there are expectations that no country could lend a hand to Ethiopia for such project on the Nile River.
In fact, when one looked back at the overall situation of the country in the 1990s, it is hard to believe the possibility of such project to happen that demands billions of dollars. However, the entire situation in Ethiopia has incredibly changed, particularly since the past fifteen years.
For so many decades, Ethiopia could not build any project on the Nile River. The major reasons where financial constraint. On one hand, the country had no enough financial capacity. On the other hand, there are no countries or international organizations that could support it financially.
The mere reason for the second one is the fact that Egypt, using its diplomatic upper-hand, had imposed those countries not to do so. Besides, there was no well organized and planned government in the country. As a result, although Ethiopians had enthusiasm to use the Nile River for their development, they could not use it for decades.
This has become a reality just some twenty years later to the coming of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) to power. During the launching of the construction of GERD, the great leader Meles Zenawi emphasized the fact that the Ethiopian people have shouldered the responsibility of constructing the Dam and hopefully they would be successful.
Ethiopia has been struggling to alleviate poverty in the past twenty six years. There are a number of political, social and economic changes in the country that altered the lives of millions of citizens.
As a result, the country had planned a number of mega projects that could play significant roles in its efforts to ensure sustainable economic growth of the country. One of these mega projects is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
As it was launched, all Ethiopians across the country expressed their happiness and vowed to contribute whatever they could. As per their promises, they have been fully participating in the construction process.
Due to the cooperated efforts exerted in building the Dam, it has currently completed more than 70 percent. According to information from the project office, it is expected to start operation at the end of 2017.
That launching year was a memorable year to all Ethiopians. It opened a new chapter in the country realized the incapability of developing any project on the Nile River. As it is mentioned repeatedly, the Dam will not only be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa but also will stand 8th worldwide.
Ethiopia has been building various projects both hydro power and irrigation Dams that could help it to generate energy capable of shouldering the fast growing economy and provide the necessary amount of water for irrigation so that the country could withstand the failure of rain that resulted in severe drought.
Of the hydro power generating dams, GERD, which is financed by the Ethiopian people, has shade hopes in the country’s struggle to alleviate poverty as it is designed to generate over 6000 megawatts electricity. Up on its completion, the nation is expected to earn 1 billion USD annually from power export.
Apart being a sign, symbol, courage, commitment and pride of the Ethiopian people, the Dam will contribute a significant role in backing the realization of sustainable development.
As a result, all Ethiopians at home and abroad continued their participation to fulfill their dreams of realizing the construction of the Dam.
The people have been doing their level best to realize the project as they could see the lights at the end of the tunnel. It will contribute a significant role in the betterment of lives the entire people in the region not only to Ethiopians.
Cognizant of that the Ethiopian people have been seriously participating in the construction of the dam. Every citizen at home and abroad has been doing best so as to realize this project. They renewed their commitments every time to pay any sacrifice for the construction of GERD.
