Ethiopia to build hydroelectric power project over Nile
ADDIS ABABA, March 23, 2004 (Xinhua) — Ethiopia announced Tuesday its plan to construct a hydroelectric power project under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) while Egypt insists on its huge quota of Nile water with other countries sharing the river.
The Ethiopian News Agency quoted government officials as saying that four large-scale dams would be built around River Abay (Nile) very soon.
Tefera Beyene from the dam and hydroelectric power design department of the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources said a study would begin soon to enable the launch of the first hydroelectric power project.
Tefera said the funds for carrying out most of the projects has already been secured from the international community.
According to him, part of the investment for the construction of the Baro-Akobo hydroelectric power project was obtained from the Norwegian government.
“Other irrigation and water drainage development projects would also be undertaken around river Dedesa and lake Tana. Ethiopia and Egypt are working together for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the respective countries on the utilization of the resources of River Abay (Nile),” Tefera added.
A Study enabling to launch Geba hydroelectric power project on Baro-Akobo river basin is also being carried out with a fund allocated by the government, said Tefera.
The announcement came after a delicate meeting of water ministers from the NBI countries in Nairobi last week. The meeting defused media speculation on sub-Saharan challenge over Egypt’s control over the River Nile, and promised cooperation in tapping the river’s water resources.
The NBI is an intergovernmental organization formed by the 10 counties along the Nile, seeking sustainable socioeconomic development and management of Nile Basin water resources.
The 10 countries are Ethiopia, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Egypt, the Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Fathy Serrour, president of the Egyptian parliament, said that Egypt is always respecting the treaties signed between his country and British in 1929 and 1959, which restrict other basin states from undertaking projects that reduce the volume of water flowing to Egypt, and gave Egypt huge quota of the Nile water annually.
“I haven’t heard that Egypt has intention to revise any treaty. What I hear is that Egypt is always respecting the treaties. The international law must be respected, and dialogue is the only instrument between states to avoid misunderstandings,” Fathy said.
He said that his country does not touch any percentage of water from any country.
“We don’t accept to touch the interest of any country. We are equal and we are keen to protect our common interests,” he added. Fathy was in Ethiopia to attend the inauguration of the Pan- African Parliament.