By
Toumelisan G/Wold
Band of journalists from Egypt,
Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia had visited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
(GERD) on July 31, 2016. The training that was associated with the field visit
is anticipated to have provided new insights through exchange of ideas,
scholarly presentations and discussions with officials of Eastern Nile Basin
countries.
Their visit is aimed at enhancing
the spirit of mutual cooperation between Nile basin countries, strengthening
regional integration and showcasing Ethiopia’s commitment to its stance of
non-significant impact, transparency and responsibility to the construction of
the GERD.
Some Egyptian journalists said that
the visit has enabled them to understand the truth about the GERD and acquire
absolutely new insight which is incomparable and contrary to what is being said
in their own country.
Egyptian political scientists and
journalists that used to broadcast and publicize perverted stories about the GERD
(for example journalists of Aharm online who participated in the program) had
given their testimony that the visit was very helpful and it enabled them to
see the possibilities of cooperation between Ethiopia and Egypt.
After their visit, they said that
media in both countries should avoid distortion and perversion of information
and try to disseminate accurate information which is balanced and verified from
credible sources (they are also of the opinion that parties should not
unilaterally disclose information that has been decided bilaterally and
trilaterally-without mutual consensus).
Although mistrust has been
noticeable in Egypt, they said, Ethiopia has a right to development, prosperity
and utilize Nile water for generation of electricity. They stressed that the
Nile basin could be a possible opportunity of joint development endeavor and
regional integration.
Hence, further discussions and
negotiations should be made in a spirit of cooperation aiming at establishing
amicable relation between the two countries. Experts and technical people of
both countries dealing with the GERD has to work closely as one team and strive
together on possible ways used to reduce the prevalent allegations in Egypt and
build cooperation and trust between the two countries (and the door is still
open to all politicians and discussants).
Indeed, there are problems emanating
from biased attitude of leaders and politicians and defective trend established
towards Nile. However, problems could be ironed out through cooperation, discussion
and negotiation. We believe everything could be solved if Ethiopian and
Egyptian people and governments work together in spirit of friendship and
cooperation
Egyptian journalists that visited
the GERD had said that a politician saying meaningless opinion based on
fabrication and bias may induce dire consequence on the relation of Ethiopia
and Egypt (this is what had happened in Egypt in the last three years).Hence,
they said media houses and journalists should balance the fact from independent
sources and publicize what is real and tangible.
To help people and politicians
accept the glaring reality of Nile Basin, officials and experts at the training
unanimously stressed that cooperation is not an option, but Hobson’s choice of
the present time: no other alternative except cooperation and joint effort to
protect Nile Basin from environmental degradation, depletion of resources and
mutual exploitation of its fruits (to sustain its benefit to all riparian
countries).
The Declaration Principles on the
GERD was signed in March 2015 by Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan and all of them
willingly accepted cooperation on the issue of Nile. However, some hardliner
scholars, old-minded and obstinate politicians and media outlets in Egypt have
been reporting confusing information about the Project and other issues on Nile.
While briefing journalists, GERD
Project Manager, Engineer Simegenew Bekele said that construction of the GERD
is being undertaken in line with space age technology that does not let any
room to any fault. The design, material inputs, machineries and know-how of
workers is on par with international standard.
He said currently, over 10,500
workers are engaged at the project site, of whom close to 400 are expats from
over 30 countries. The construction is well in progress as per schedule and
installation of two turbines that are designed to generate 666 MW of
electricity in the first phase is being undertaken. The installation is not only
a concrete testimony of the country’s capacity to accomplish mega projects as
per schedule but also evidence to harmonious and far-sighted cooperation
between people and the government.
The Manager said the commencement of
turbine installation and other electro-mechanical activities will also herald
the commencement of electricity production from the Dam which is being
constructed only for the purpose of power generation (affordable, green and
non-power consuming).
He said that unwavering decision of the
government to construct the GERD has played a key role to the success gained in
the construction. As a facilitator to the present achievement, the government
has formulated visionary policy and strategy to improve energy supply and
accelerate poverty reduction.
Until
now, Ethiopia has unwaveringly adhered to its principle of cooperation,
non-significant impact and mutual benefit. It is believed that unreserved call
of the nation to cooperation and mutual benefit will continue until completion
of the project. Fortunately, tireless call of nation has started fruition as
the first crew of Egyptian journalists and researchers, after their visit, have
proved that the GERD should be a source of cooperation.
They said construction of the GERD is being undertaken in a transparent and
responsible manner, which is completely contrary to what they have been hearing
in Egypt.
The agenda of Nile water utilization
and development is predominant agenda of
Ethiopia not only viewed from its major contribution of water to the
volume of Nile, but also from its desperate need to realize extrication from
rock-bottom poverty through exhaustive
utilization of resources.
Nation is time after time reaffirming
its stance to justifiable use of water and development activities on Nile
without any significant impact. It believes that any development endeavor that
hurts the Nile water share of other countries is unacceptable and contrary to
international water laws that deal with cross-border rivers.
Earlier, tireless diplomatic effort
of Ethiopia has enabled to gain the support of Sudan towards the Dam.
Tremendous effort has been exerted to publicize about the benefit of the Dam to
regional development, integration and make Sudan detach from its deep-rooted
stand that was established on colonial agreements.
Likewise, as proved by the current
visit of journalists and the comments
of higher officials and
parliamentarians, Egypt has been showing
keen interest in undertaking
continuous discussions and forge cooperation with Ethiopia(hopefully it will
try to recalibrate its Nile water policy which is established on prior use).
The GERD diplomacy has started to
pay as many Egyptian journalists, scholars, leaders and parliamentarians have
started to speak well of the GERD, benefit of cooperation and the right of
Ethiopia to build Dam and utilize its resources. It could be said that diplomatic
effort of Ethiopia has started to take roots in the hearts of Egyptians.
On the way to recalibrate its
colonial stance, Egypt is also following the path of backing cooperation( even
though it is reluctant about the water discharge and content of the
GERD).Currently, the relation of these Nile riparian countries is going in an
encouraging pace and Ethiopia is expressing commitment to strengthen relation
and establish cooperation on rock-solid foundation.
Previously there was no access to
the Dam and the coverage in Egypt was negative. However, the latest visit and
training opportunity had given journalists of Egypt and Sudan to visit six main
sites of the GERD( change their biased attitude after thoroughly understanding
the transparent and responsible manner of construction that enabled them to say
I came, I saw and I confirm. They said Egyptian people could benefit from the
GERD project being undertaken in Ethiopia as it is going to be exported with
affordable price. Egyptian people need credible sources to assure them that
they will not lose the water. If anyone gives them positive information they
will take it to their heart and endorse its positivity.
In this regard, Ethiopia awaits
tremendous task to publicize all the relevant information about the GERD,
convince Egyptian politicians and scholars that are used to distorting facts
about the project and win the trust of Egyptian people. And activities used to
boost the consensus of Nile riparian countries about the GERD should continue tirelessly
(to make Egyptian people understand the fact that the interest of Ethiopia is
development and poverty alleviation based on equitable use of Nile water).
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