Addis Ababa, 24 June (WIC) – Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen said that public contribution for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Damn Project (GERDP) is so significant.
In his exclusive interview with WIC, the Deputy Premier emphasized that the Ethiopian people residing at home and abroad have been contributing for the project both through buying bonds and offering professional supports.
The different income generating mechanisms used so far ended with encouraging result, he said, adding that the 8100A mobile texting mechanism, for instance, generated about 84 million.
The Public Diplomacy Works started with Egypt and Sudan has enabled Ethiopia to explain its real interest in connection with the GERD Project.
“The Nile is a natural bridge connecting Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. The strongest bridge among nations is the people. Hence, we have been doing much in strengthening the people to people relation through Public Diplomacy”, Demeke said.
DPM Demeke also appreciated the contribution of the Ethiopian Diaspora that they have contributed over 30 million USD so far.
In line with this, Media and Communication Directorate Director of the Office of National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Fekadu Ketema told WIC that second 8100A mobile texting charging 3 EB will start in the coming September.
It is noted that so far over 7.4 billion EB is collected from all sorts of income generating means.
Due to bond selling, public saving has grown to 22 per cent currently from 5 per cent at the beginning of the GTP.
Over 34 million peoples have participated in environment protection through planting over 17 billion seedlings costing about 49.5 billion EB, he added.
The construction of the GERD Project has now reached 45.2 per cent, he said adding that 90 per cent of the power transferring cable extended from Guba to Holeta to carry the 6,000MW electric power to the National Grid has finalized.
Ethiopia is expected to gain 2.8 billion USD only from hydropower after the completion of the GERD, he indicated.