GERD, an epitome of our national integrity, says Dr Feleke

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is the epitome of our national integrity and zest for development. It’s iconic in a way as it rightly symbolizes our aspirations. We Ethiopians are emotionally attached with its progress, so having agreed for second round of contribution, AMU is sending a group of people to visit its site, said AMU President, Dr Feleke Woldeyes. Dr Feleke was addressing the gathering in a program to give warm send-off to 139 AMU members visiting GERD site and also distributed Bond to those for their financial contribution. He lauded people for their overwhelming support towards the construction of the Dam.
He further informed that GERD will be the biggest dam in entire African Continent and tenth in the world. We are actively following its progress; people have contributed their share and want to continue that and today’s meeting was to mark second round of pledge.
‘‘GERD construction has more meaning for us; it’s a symbol of transformation. Earlier, we had felt the need of it, but we were incapable but we have overcome that notion. With this dam we would show to the world that we are capable enough to develop things in our country; after this there will be more dams.’’
Over the University role, he said, AMU is producing skilled labors; experts working in the dam are from AMU. This visit will enable us to witness what and how the progress is going on. Many universities have already paid their visit; it will boost the morale of our people because it’s beyond our imagination.
Program marked the attendance of entire AMU officials. Vice President for Administration and Development, Dr Kassa Tadele, in his presentation, revealed that, Ethiopia contributes 86% water to Nile River.
The Dam will discharge 55 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) of water annually. Its 170-meter high with 1800 meter of length, the reservoir will hold 63 BCM water, with evaporation of 0.4 BCM.
Giving the dam chronology, Dr Kassa informed, Ethiopia started with Akaki Dam on Akaki River which then used to generate 6 Mega Watt of power. GERD exploiting the full hydro-power potential of Nile thus will make a quantum jump by generating 6000 MW electricity is standing to transform the economy of the nation.
Citing its negligible upstream effects, Dr Kassa said, it neither has any villages, nor any organized fishing activities, but only smattering of cultivated areas that too at the extremity of the reservoir.
The overall expenditure of this gargantuan project is pegged at ETB 80 Billion. Ethiopians would contribute 20% (16 Billion Birr) of it, 10.7 Billion Birr has already been pledged and by January 2014, 5.7 Billion Birr has been collected.
So far 30% construction is over and it’s expected to get completed by June 2017. The construction is going at full tilt has 6600 workers (550 foreigners) and 1700 heavy machineries pressed into service.
Ethiopian Commercial Bank’s Arba Minch Branch Manager also graced the occasion. The program was interspersed with colorful and patriotic song & dance performances by Gamo Gofa Cultural Group. Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr Agena Anjulo, read out the list of GERD visitors.
Corporate Communication Directorate Director, Mr Genene Gedebu, read out the vow made by the people that emphasized the strong commitment of all AMU community to continue any kind of sacrifice required from them to see that construction of GERD gets completed.
By Philips Joseph