Addis Ababa: Residents of Addis Ababa have affirmed their commitment to reinforce their support for the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
GERD, the biggest under construction hydropower project in the Africa continent and its construction commenced in 2011, is now near completion.
The reservoir of the dam has also retained 42 billion cubic meters of water, with overall project completion standing at 95.8 percent, it was learned.
Acknowledging this dam’s progress as a vital endeavor to see a prosperous Ethiopia for the future, the inhabitants of the capital have been further motivated to bolster their support until the completion of the GERD.
One of the residents, Zerihun Fekadu, told ENA that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is a national asset that has reached a critical juncture and he is eagerly watching the completion.
Recall the Grand Renaissance Dam project is fully funded by the Ethiopian public without any foreign aid or loans.
Particularly, this mega project has been
financed by Ethiopians with crowdfunding through internal fund raising in the form of selling bonds and persuading employees to contribute a portion of their incomes.
For instance, Zerihun as a resident of Addis Ababa bought a 10,000 Birr worth of bond for the construction of the dam. And he pledged to intensify the support he has been providing for the renaissance dam.
Another resident Aregash Geda on her part stated that she bought 5,000 Birr worth of bonds and she reaffirmed her commitment to continue the support till the dam is completed.
She also called upon all Ethiopians to consolidate their unwavering support for the renaissance dam, describing the dam as the symbol of this present generation.
Ashenafi Hailemariam, another Addis Ababa city resident, underscored the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam has involved Ethiopia from every corner of the country, pledging to continue his support.
Since the inception of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, some 19 billion Birr has been collected fro
m the public, and now further calls have been made to sustain and strengthen this financial mobilization.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency