Ethiopian Dam Controversy

So far detailed news and research reports have come from third parties such as the BBC and those closely associated with making studies on the environmental aspects of the Gibe III Dam project. The most recent on YouTube video is titled "Ethiopian Damns Controversy". I hope it is not meant to pass any derogatory message other than a mere spelling error. Be that it may, the Ethiopian side, including the interviewees from the Salini company presented their views in a somewhat unprofessional manner if they meant to defend their planned project. To refer to a few, the Salini Construction Company spokesperson concluded by saying the river basin dwellers will simply die when the project is done, while the other rather more dignitary representative of the government mentioned about the fact that even insects being in harms way when one walks. The prime minster stated the building  of the Gibe Dam(s) will protect the lower river basin residents from the life threatening impacts of the perennial flood. I don't know how much of a detailed environmental study was made from the Government's side but understandably, based on the history of donors for such projects, the possible end of such a study is usually the killing of the project. Ethiopia has major internal pressures not to abide by that assessment due to not only the fact that this would delay the construction by a matter of years, but also it may cost the ruling party its handle on power.

The controversy is apparent but in my inadequate knowledge to say the least, the Ethiopian government could have handled this matter in a more diplomatic manner. It has secured the displacement of 10s of thousands of the population before starting the Gibe I and II(according to the study report). The government could have made its own assessment about what it takes to prevent the lower river basin residents who make their livings by making use of the spoils of the seasonal  flood. Guaranteeing a way to protect the population, I believe could have paved the way to building the dams without major hurdles. If the planing is based on the feasibility of doing it, this could also be shared with the concerned to produce a common ground. If the government is reading the signs that the study group is geared to stop the over ambitious project due to the hasty attitude of the government in terms of time, there is still room for in depth discussions on how to tackle the issue, unless of course, the study group is politicizing the matter, which I think most probably is the case. Things have changed since the times of Gibe I and II era. The clear cut but controversial stands of the government specially from the stand points of the external viewers has changed the otherwise warm relations between the current government and the west. As such, the regime is inclined to look to the east, specially China. This may have triggered the disagreement over such a grandiose project that is believed to outlive any government in terms of its contribution to the betterment of the poverty stricken population. I give credit to the tireless effort made by the government to make this a reality. I am also impressed with the donor environmental study group by the level of knowledge they demonstrated about the Omo river and its impacts to the population that depends on it. My suggestion to both sides is to understand the urgency that they need to work closely for the ambitious progress to be materialized.


From the Editor's desk.