The International Panel of Experts which commenced its activity officially on Tuesday, 15 May 2012, consists of 10-members. Six of the experts are from Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan while the rest four are international experts.
The International Panel of Experts for environmental impact assessment of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project has paid a visit to the construction site.
The experts have noted that the visit would make their forthcoming activity easier. The experts held a closed door session on Thursday at Sheraton Addis.
Egyptian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mohammed Idris said the experts would carry out activities fulfilling the needs of the three countries based on the realities on the ground.
Sudanese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Abdulrahman Seer el Karim for his part said he was able to realize that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project was progressing well.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation, Mihret Debebe also said the project is being executed in a way that would minimize tensions among neighboring countries.
“The International Panel of Experts would realize from the study, design and current status of the project that there is nothing hidden from the riparian countries,” Mihret said.
“They would realize that the reality far from the rumors that were disseminated about the project; this would have quite a significant role in building mutual trust among the countries.”
The International Panel of Experts which commenced its activity officially on Tuesday, 15 May 2012, consists of 10-members. Six of the experts are from Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan while the rest four are international experts.
Yes, we are building the dam in a manner that won’t affect or harm any Nile basin countries interest. We are very much careful for our good name and longstanding relations we have with Egypt and Sudan. I don’t understand why these two brotherly countries still didn’t want to give recognition and reputation for the dam we are constructing. I feel upset when countries fail to see to cooperate each other for mutual benefit. We Ethiopians have no any ill-intention towards our brothers and sisters living in Egypt and Sudan. We shared a long long history, and resources. Of course, no Ethiopian would believe that the water resource or Nile belongs to Ethiopia, albeit we know that the source of the water resides in Ethiopia. In today’s world, countries cannot afford to live alone. And I believe any conflict of interest would be solved through discussion and diplomacy. I think the closed policy of Mubarak era is over in Egypt. The way the world looks like today is different from 20 or so ago. Now, Africa must grow through African’s ways and solutions. Britain, the colonial masters of Egypt and Sudan – giving the water right to Egypt and Sudan, sinned and made big blunder which history never forgives. Be as it may, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan will be the ones which will work for Africa and shared benefits of the resources. It’s not Britain now which has to come to the table to negotiate the Africans. Rather, we Africans need to sit down and discuss and find a solution for our problems.
Shimelis Mulatu, PR Expert at Ministry of Water and Energy.