Addis Ababa: Ethiopian youths have engaged in fisheries at the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD) following the lakes created around the dam.
As the impact of the GERD on the Ethiopian economy is multi-faceted, the artificial lake that has been formed after a three-round dam filling has been benefiting youth who are mainly involved in fisheries.
Accordingly, around 70 islands were created during the construction of the renaissance dam being built on the Abay River.
One of the youth Itman Mohammed, who is residing in Guba, at the construction site of GERD in Benishangul Gumuz region, told ENA that the renaissance dam is benefiting the youth in terms of fishery.
According to Itman, fishing from GERD has now become a means to generate incomes for those youth that are organized in associations like him.
Using a motor boat, a net and a hook, the young man indicated that: “We have started producing up to two quintals of fish per day and supplying the product to the market.”
Sharing his recent experience of
fishery at GERD, Itman revealed that the dam, which is being built collectively, has now been benefiting tremendous youths like himself.
Almaw Dessalgn, another young resident from Arba Minch city of southern Ethiopia said on his part, he is sharing his experience with the Benishangul Gumuz Youth Associations who have engaged fisheries at the lake of the Great Renaissance Dam.
Almaw pointed out that there is a huge fish resource at the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Animal and Fishery Head of the Benishangul Gumuz Agriculture Bureau, Birhanu Itecha said on his part that the region has earned 1,310 tons of fish over the last seven months and its target for this Ethiopian fiscal year is 1,800 tons.
Majorly, the production of fishery has been secured from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the head indicated.
Birhanu noted that engaging the organized youth associations have been prioritized to unleash the untapped fishery potential of Benishangul Gumuz region.
The 13th year laying of the foundation of
the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance is being commemorated at the end of this month under the theme: ‘Together We Made It Possible.’
This anniversary depicts the solidarity and unity of the Ethiopian people and government over the last 13 years in order complete this largest hydropower dam, it was indicated.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency