Addis Ababa: The approach used to build the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a big lesson that serves as a model for African nations grappling with poverty, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh said.
The deputy premier made the above remark at the commemoration of the 13th Anniversary of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam held in Addis Ababa today.
He pointed out that despite the enormous challenges Ethiopia faced, it was able to safeguard its rights to conceive, design, finance, and construct the dam.
“This approach serves as a pioneering and exemplary model for nations across our continent grappling with poverty,” Temesgen stressed.
The anniversary celebrated under the theme: ‘Together We Can’ featured a series of events, including panel discussions and a photo exhibition.
Deputy PM Temesgen Tiruneh on the occasion lauded the unified efforts of the government and the public in overcoming significant challenges over the past thirteen years.
The construction of GERD has now reached an impressive 95
.8 percent milestone, and Ethiopia resolutely upheld the principle of African Solutions to African Problems on the global stage, he recalled.
And “in doing so, we safeguarded our right to conceive, design, finance, and construct for Ethiopia’s prosperity. This approach serves as a pioneering and exemplary model for nations across our continent grappling with poverty,” Temesgen underlined.
Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa on his part highlighted Ethiopia’s longstanding experience in dam construction for electricity generation and irrigation purposes.
He cited projects like Melkawakena, Koqa, Fincha, Gibe I-III, Tekeze, and Tis Abay, among others.
However, the minister revealed that ‘the combined output of these dams falls short of 4,000 megawatts, representing less than 8 percent of Ethiopia’s hydroelectric potential.’
According to him, the success of GERD serves as a powerful testament to the Ethiopian spirit of “it is possible.”
Habtamu noted that this spirit, including the project execution exp
erience, knowledge and technology transfer are imperative for developing other projects in the future
Source: Ethiopian News Agency