6 minute read
Maro Andy Tola Jean Manteke Tomas Jankan. Eng
GERD
Project carried out with Right of Ethiopia
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By ABN staff writer
Ethiopia has launched construction of its mega dam, GERD, withgovernment’s firm commitment to fight against poverty, and improve the livelihoods of citizens, who are still cutting trees for fuel and who are also with power deficiency.
While embarked upon the project, Ethiopia, which has natural and legal right to develop resources within its boundary, is very considerate and carries out the implementation of the project without causing any harm against the countries in the downstream. Rather, as many experts and scholars witness, the GERD helps in regulating the flow of water, and ensures appropriate utilization of the shared resources by preventing wastage of waters due to various reasons.
As the 6th edition of the Nile Basin Development Forum (NBDF) was hosted here in Ethiopia both virtually and physically, ABN had the opportunity to talk to some of experts and professionals in water resource management and development, with points focusing on the major deliberations of the Forum and also views about the GERD. “I think, it is right for Ethiopia to develop its water resources to address the need of its people, while considering also the need of Sudan and Egypt at the same time. It is the way we look like that,” ”
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One of the participants from South Sudan, Engineer Tomas Jankan, who is working for the South Sudanese Ministry of Water Resources, Irrigation as a Director for Water Resources Management, told ABN that the Forum is a venue whereby Nile Basin citizens come together and make a dialogue to see the opportunity of developing their common resources, identifying the challenges and the way forward how to solve them.
“I think, it is right for Ethiopia to develop its water resources to address the need of its people, while considering also the need of Sudan and Egypt at the same time. It is the way we look like that,”
While dwelling upon development questions from citizens of the Nile Basins, including questions for development and fruits of cooperation, the Forum also addresses issues related to enhanced efforts of cooperation and narrowing political gaps among others.
He noted that concern of citizens such as the need for development, the need for food, and the need for hydropower are raised during discussions in the Forum, still affirming the very reasons that necessitated for Ethiopia to build GERD.
Speaking of GERD, the Director said,
“What can I say here as my view, not as the government of South Sudan, it is the right of every citizen on his country, on his area, call it woreda, or whatever country in your part, to develop the water resources that pass by his land while considering the needs of others down to him or downstream".
Ethiopia has always been saying that it develops its natural resources to address
IT'S OUR DAM
Tomas Jankan Eng
Director for Water Resources Management, South Sudan
poverty and improve the livelihoods of its citizens on the principles of sustainable development, which any other country could do if it has the resource and the capacity to do so.
“And if I get the opportunity or my country gets the opportunity like that to get – to have a resource to develop such a project, I think, it is something that should be adopted by all the Nile Basin countries to develop their own water resources; or to address the needs of their people.”
Regarding issues related to the position of the downstream countries on GERD, he emphasized on the need to discuss and reach consensus on ways of developing the shared resource, reiterating the need for the two countries to consider Ethiopia’s interest for development.
GERD
Model project for African countries
By ABN staff writer
While endowed with natural resources and owning such huge water resource as the Blue Nile, Ethiopia is still lagging behind in terms of development as many of its citizens, especially those in rural settings have been sufferingdue to lack of electric power and they are still cutting trees for energy at household level. It is with regret and also commitment to address poverty and backwardness that the country started building the GERD by its own financial resource and expertise.
Jean Manteke Kabay, whom ABN approached during the 6th Nile Basin Development Forum (NBDF), works at the DR Congo Ministry of Sustainable Development, in the Directorate of Water Resources. He says GERD is an important project that can drive development.
“I just want to say to Ethiopians, I encourage you; I am happy for your initiative to build a dam and to develop your country. As an African also, it is a good idea and a good example for Africans, in the future, if there is no means, they can just undertake themselves.”
“I think, the Renaissance Dam is a good thing for Ethiopia and for Africa, because development starts
by electricity and water,” said Kabay.
Stating that GERD is an important project that can significantly contribute to the development of Ethiopia, and even beyond, the Congolese expert
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Jean Manteke Kabay
Ministry of Sustainable Development,DRC
raises the concern which Ethiopia had long taken into account, of the Dam’s effect on the countries in the downstream.
He further notes that Ethiopia needs to work together with the countries in the downstream, still affirming the position ever upheld by Ethiopia.
Asked about his opinions on the positions of Egypt and Sudan on GERD, Kabay said with emphasis on the importance of dialogues to mutually understand and reach mutually beneficial consensus.
“I think, the GERD can develop all Africa, because we can share electricity, for the countries where we have the problem for the electricity. It is agood thing. No problem for that,”
he said, adding, “It is a good lesson
for Africans. If you think good, you do it. For Africans it is good thing.”
Ethiopia’s initiative on its own, and the way it has been funding the project also with its expertise has been widely acclaimed.
Kabay hail the initiative, and says,
“I just want to say to Ethiopians, I encourage you; I am happy for your initiative to build a dam and to develop your country. As an African also, it is a good idea and a good example for Africans, in the future, if there is no means, they can just undertake themselves.”
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