After overcoming numerous obstacles, the Renaissance Dam was officially opened today in the presence of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The foundation stone was set for the project 14 years ago.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which has long been a source of frustration for Ethiopians, is being completed and celebrated with an inauguration ceremony in Guba.
The dam wall, which is 145 meters (475 feet) high and spans 1.78 kilometres (1.1 miles) across a valley, was built using 11 million cubic meters of concrete. It has produced a massive reservoir known as Lake Nigat, which translates to “dawn” in Amharic. The construction of the dam on a tributary of the Nile, which supplies the majority of the water for that enormous river, caused controversy among nations downstream. Tensions with Egypt escalated diplomatically, and war threats were even raised.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives Tagesse Chafo, and Speaker of the House of Federation Agegneh Tesheger. Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, former Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, regional chief administrators, city administration mayors, ministers, and Adan Farah, Deputy President of the Prosperity Party and Head of the Centre for Coordination of Democracy Building, were also present.