Alemayehu Tegenu: Construction Of GERD On High Speed

Written By Biruk Amante

The FDRE Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Alemayehu Tegenu said the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is on high speed, quite opposite to the deliberately deceptive story that some top officials of Egypt were quoted saying- “the construction of the dam is facing finance and technical problems”, FBC reported.

The minister stated that neither finance nor technical problems will block the construction of the dam.

He further stated that the proposal of Egypt to organize another international team of professionals, besides the international professionals’ team that has been following the discussion “has no acceptance”.

He said the speed of the construction is well moving forward and believed would be finalized within the planned period of time.

The GERD Construction Public Participation Coordinating Council also confirmed that the construction of the dam is well underway according to the plan, as the Ethiopian government has built strong financial and efficient technical capacity.

Deputy Director with the Council Zadig Abreha said the 80 billion Birr that the construction was said requires has been cut down to 5 billion Birr through discussions held with the contractor.

5.7 billion Birr has also been collected through Bond and grant from the public.

The D/Director said the government is currently financially stronger than ever, that can assure there will be no worries; and stated that the construction of the dam is more likely expected to be finalized as planned whilst most essential machines for the construction that the country is importing has also built its technical capacity.

So far 30% of the construction of the dam has been completed.

Source: Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC)