On the webinar organized by the Ethiopian Embassy in Canada in collaboration with Alliance for Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Canada Seleshi Bekele, Minister for Water, Irrigation, and Energy called the Ethiopian Diaspora community in Canada to stand together and extend help to the completion of the national flagship project.
On the webinar discussion entitled, ‘Updates on GERD and Information Session on GERD Bond Purchase’ Seleshi tabled presentations over the current status of the GERD construction and what is expected of the Ethiopian Diaspora to support the project.
The Minister made a call to Ethiopian Diaspora in Canada to stand together and extend help to the completion of the national flagship project.
According to the statement that Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the Diaspora should consider themselves as ambassadors to their country declaring the rights of Ethiopia to an equitable and fair utilization of the Nile River basin.
Diaspora Branch Manager at the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Lemma Wakeyo, explained the various modalities regarding the purchase of the GERD bonds.
Ethiopian Ambassador to Canada, Nassise Chali, on her part, reiterated how the GERD would benefit us all and underscored the need to support the project in advocacy, funding, and in every other possible way.
Ethiopia has announced that it would start the second filling in the coming flooding season that would be in July or August. The country has made a stand on equitable water use on the Abay/Nile River that is the source of the GERD.
Despite the downstream countries mainly Egypt expressed its concern on its water flow Ethiopia strongly reassured that the project would not have harm on others and the country does not have intention to affect others.
Ethiopia contributes more than 86 percent of water share for Abay, while the river does not provide required economic benefit.
GERD that is financed by local sources is expected to generate more than 5,000 MW in electric power.