Ethiopia marks 3rd Grand Dam construction launching anniversary

www.simplesharebuttons.com Share this post...

Addis Ababa: April 2, 2014 (FBC) The 3rd year of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam construction launching anniversary was marked at Guba District,Metekel Zone of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, with motto of “We Began to Finalize”.

Initially the plan was to construct a dam that have a capacity to generate 5250 MW of electric power, till its design was later modified by the support of FDRE Metals and Engineering Corporation as it would generate 6000 MW.

Opening the ceremony with speech, the Ethiopian Electric Power Manager Engineer Azeb Asnake said the Grand Renaissance Dam is a major, among massive hydropower projects that the Government of Ethiopia has given attention to.

Stating that the construction of the dam has been successfully in progress since the beginning, the manager affirmed that 30% of the hydro mechanical and electro mechanical activities have been completed.

FDRE Metals and Engineering Corporation Director Brigadier General Kinfe Dagnew for his part expressed his belief that his corporation which is mainly supporting steel activities in the construction of the dam will further build its capacity as it has signed agreement with the University of Addis Ababa.

Representative of Salini Construction Group also said all should work hard for the success of the construction of the dam, expressing his appreciation for the inspiring spirit seen in everyone so far.

Water Irrigation and Energy Minister and Member of the National GERD Public Contribution Council Alemayehu Tegeneu for his part remarked that the dam is one of massive projects that have been designed to lift the country out of poverty and backwardness, and enable the country move forward with development and prosperity.

He said it is the dam that has answered the prayer of Ethiopia for electric power, while it gave lesson for the riparian states that a just and fair resolution can still be declared.

Declaring that the construction of the dam is well underway as per the schedule, the FDRE Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinator of the National GERD Public Contribution Council Demeke Mokonnen said hence the day (April 2) is when Ethiopia began to take measure to win poverty, it will always be remembered.

Demeke said : “the dam is a foundation stone of the renaissance journey of the country, and the country shall succeed when it uses its resources exhaustively”.

In addition, Demeke said the support that the public is offering for the construction of the dam demonstrated that the country has the capacity to carry out massive projects; he said the contribution of the public is a “golden in print historic campaign”.