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Construction of Bae’her agro-processioning park commences

After a one-year delay, the construction of Bae’her agro-processioning industrail park has been launched in western Tigray zone, Tigray regional state.

The construction of the park was started this month at a cost of 1.4 billion birr (approximately $51.9 million), said Angesom Gebremeskel, manager of the regional state’s industry parks corporation.

The first phase of the park, to be erected on 258 hectares of land will be completed within a year. After the completion of the first phase, the construction of 120 sheds, which are parts of the second phases will continue, he added.

Angesom said the agro-processing sheds planned to be established in the parks took into consideration the needs of investors as well as agricultural and dairy products in western and north western Tigray zones

Design of the park, which is being built by Sur Construction PLC with a budget allocated by the regional state, was prepared by an Indian firm called Mahindra, he said.

Once completed, 85 percent of the park will be given for local investors, while the remaining will be distributed for foreign investors.

Angesom further said that another integrated agro-processing industrial park will be built in southern Raya zone.

This time Mekelle University was awarded to prepare the design of the park, he said.

According to ENA, a cornerstone for Bae’her processioning industrial park was laid by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn last February.

Ethiopia announces $375mln “Light for All” program

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn today announced a 375 million US dollars “Light for All” program to raise access to energy in the country.

The program, which will be implemented over the coming seven-year with stated sum secured from the World Bank, is expected to reach rural areas with no access to electricity.

In addition to increasing access to energy, the program will contribute a lot in creating employment opportunities for the youth, said the Premier.

PM Hailemariam called on all pertinent bodies to do their level best for the successful implementation of the program as per scheduled.

Dr Eng Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity, for his part said the program will help to reach all rural parts of the country, especial those that have no access to electricity.

Moreover, it will help to sustainablly address problems of power cut in urban areas, the Minister added.

Similarly, Ethiopia’s national electrification program- implementation road map -was also revealed today.

The program will allow rural areas to get access to electricity from solar, geothermal and other sources of energy.

Ethiopia rejects Egypt’s desire for implementation of colonial era treaty

On the basis of the principle of fair use, Ethiopia has the right to utilize the Nile river without causing a significant harm on the lower riparian countries, said the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity (MoWIE).

Dr Eng. Sileshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity told journalists today that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) which Ethiopia has been building on the Nile river would benefit all the three countries.

Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to use the Nile river for electric power generation will not reduce the water supply available to both Sudan and Egypt, he said.

On the other hand, he said “it is crucial for us to use the river for power generation so as to ensure the socio-economic benefits of our continuously growing number of people.”

Ethiopia honors the Declaration of Principles signed between leaders of the three countries, he said, adding a study on the impact of the dam has not yet been completed.

Ethiopia, which contributes 86% of the Nile water, doesn’t accept Egypt’s stance and desire for the implementation of 1959 colonial era treaty regarding the utilization of the Nile water, the Minister underscored.

Ethiopia has already tabled its filling strategy of the dam’s reservoir to the countries, he said, adding it could accept if the firm tasked to conduct the study comes up with different and beneficial filling process.

The tripartite meeting between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt will continue to build mutual trust and confidence among the countries, he said.

Commenced six years ago, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is 63 percent complete.

Upon completion, the dam will be Africa’s largest with 6,450 MW installed power generating capacity. It is being built for an estimated cost of 4.7 billion US dollars.