Ambassadors of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) countries to Ethiopia on Saturday witnessed the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is underway in line with the set direction, after visiting  the Dam’s construction site.

Tanzanian Ambassador to Ethiopia Professor Joram Mukama Biswaro said seeing is believing and we have seen and believed.  First the project is real as per its plan. We have also seen that the information by some media is unfounded. The rerouting of the course of the River has no change on the flow of the River.

South Sudanese Ambassador Arop Kuol Deng for his part said this is a victory for our region, Ethiopia and all of Africa. I want to appreciate those people who conceived and implemented the project. 

Kenyan Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma said this project has the spirit of African renewal. The work is going on smoothly. As we all can see the water is flowing down to the lower riparian countries except for rerouting the course for some meters. This should in no way a thing to worry about.

Sudanese ambassador Abdel Rahman Sir Al-Khatim, , said Sudan has full support to this project. This is because we believe that the Dam has great benefit for the region especially for Egypt and Sudan. I have understood that great work is done on the project.

Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Idris said I want to tell my Ethiopian brothers and sisters that we Egyptians are beside the development of Ethiopia. We Egyptians will support every project that is based on common benefit.

Ugandan Ambassador to Ethiopia Mull S. Katende, for his part said the Renaissance Dam would play a significant role in addressing the power shortage being witnessed in East Africa.

As the energy need of the region’s countries is growing by three percent every month, building such a mega dam which will generate 6000 MW will help to ease the need of the region, he said.

From ERTA