Over 74 million Ethiopians gain access to clean drinking water, says Minister

Addis Ababa, December 30, 2024 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party Central Committee member and Minister of Water and Energy, Engineer Habtamu Itefa, announced that over 74 million citizens have gained access to clean drinking water as a result of the reform efforts undertaken in the sector over the past few years.

Since the initiation of the nationwide reform works under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, approximately 25 million citizens have gained access to clean drinking water, bringing the total to 74 million, the Minister stated.

He emphasized that the government’s efforts to increase the number of citizens with access to clean drinking water in both urban and rural areas are yielding tangible results.

Additionally, he highlighted the effective work that has been done in the energy sector, citing the success of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a prime example.

The minister also mentioned that Ethiopia is making significant strides in connecting the Horn of Africa region with energy, which is not only a success for the country but also benefits neighboring countries.

Furthermore, Habtamu emphasized that the government has prioritized early warning systems to mitigate the risks of drought and floods, which is a crucial step in ensuring the country’s water security.