ADDIS ABABA — The Office of National Coordination for the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) announced that the construction progress of GERD has reached 95 percent. This significant milestone includes the completion of 98 percent of the civil work and 78 percent of the electromechanical work.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Deputy Director General of the Office of National Coordination for the Construction of GERD, the construction achievements will be celebrated at the end of this month, marking the 13th year since the foundation of the GERD project was laid. The commemoration will carry the theme: “Together We Made It Possible.”
Tamiru emphasized during her press briefing that the GERD represents a unifying emblem for Ethiopia, highlighting the national consensus around the importance of this hydropower project on the Abay River. She also revealed that nearly 19 billion Birr had been raised through public contributions towards the dam’s construction, showcasing the collective effort and support of Ethiopians both within the country and abroad.
The deputy director general hailed the dam as a testament to Ethiopia’s resolve and the fruitful results of diplomatic endeavors, positioning GERD as a flagship project embodying the nation’s spirit of possibility. She noted that the addition of new turbines would soon increase the dam’s power generation capacity.
With the 13th year celebration of the GERD’s construction on the horizon, the Office of National Coordination plans to organize a series of events, including a bond week, exhibitions, and appreciation ceremonies, aimed at further mobilizing resources. Fikirte Tamiru announced an ambitious goal to collect an additional 300 million Birr in the forthcoming campaigns, appealing to Ethiopians everywhere to continue their support towards the completion of the Grand Renaissance Dam.