FM Gedu, former PM Hailemariam congratulate Ethiopians on GERD first filling

Addis Ababa, July 22, 2020 (FBC) –Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedu Andargachew, has expressed a congratulatory message on the successful completion of the first filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

“At the beginning Abbay was a river, after taming it turned to a lake as the river continues its natural flow. Now Abbay as a lake capitulated to all Ethiopia’s development aspirations,” ENA quoted Gedu as saying.

The former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn also congratulated Ethiopians on the completion of the filling of the dam with 4.9 billion cubic meters of water.

He tweeted, “Congratulations! The African Union-led negotiations on the first filling and annual operation of GRED are on the right track. I commend our PM, PM of Sudan, and President of Egypt for a successful summit. I highly appreciate the leadership of AU chair, Ramaphosa.”

“GERD has reached level 565 which impound the required 4.9 Bcm of water to run the 1st 2 turbines for early generation. Even nature is along with us miraculously pouring the water in a very short period of time. Congra my PM, Gedu, Dr Seleshi, the entire team and all Ethiopians,” he added.

Ethiopia yesterday announced the completion of the first filling of the GERD, which is now more than 74.5 % complete and under construction on the Abbay River in Ethiopia’s Benishangul Gumuz regional state.