GERD’s civil work construction to be completed in current fiscal year, President Sahle-Work

Addis Ababa, October 9, 2023 (FBC) – The civil work construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) will be completed during the current Ethiopian fiscal year, President Sahle-work Zewde  confirmed during the joint opening session of  the third year and sixth tenure of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia and the House of Federation.

The joint session was held today in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and diplomats of various countries.

Addressing the session, President Sahle-Work Zewde has delivered a speech that highlighted the performances of the previous year and government’s key priorities during the 2016 (2023/24) Ethiopian fiscal year.

The president indicated the successes being registered in the diplomatic sphere both in bilateral and multilateral levels.

In this regard, she mentioned the successful conduct of the final and 4th round filling of GERD during the conclude fiscal year.

The president said the construction of GERD has reached more than 90 percent indicating the fact that GERD is instrumental to realizing Ethiopia’s prosperity.

She said the overall civil work construction is expected to be fully completed during the current Ethiopian budget year.

GERD is not only source of electric power; the president pointed out stating that the project also encompasses tourism and water resources which are vital for the protection of environment.

Sahle-Work further said that the ongoing negotiations will be pursed in a way that does not defy Ethiopia’s right to develop using its natural resources thereby causing no significant harm on down-stream countries.

The president said the fact, that GERD will never harm the riparian countries, has been practically proved.

She also indicated the dam is a project that realizes Ethiopia’s development demand and ensures equal utilization of common natural resources.

President Sahle-Work congratulated all Ethiopians for their contribution extended to the successes so far registered in the construction of GERD.