Keeping Momentum to Finalize GERD

OPINIONBy Yohannes Gebresellsie (Ph.d.)

The Grand Renaissance Dam is our grand national project which has the participation, collaboration and contribution of all Ethiopians and the diaspora. For those who are not participating in this national project intentionally or naively, it is not too late to come to their senses and do the right thing. They have to contribute their share for this historic project.

Otherwise as the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile-Sellasie once said "God and History will remember your judgement." It will definitely be deplorable and regrettable if they do not have any answer when their children or grand children ask them "what did you do or what did you contribute on our behalf to the construction of this historic Dam?" It will be wise therefore to think about it today before it is too late.

It is the dream of all Ethiopians to see the completion of this great project because it is a sign and symbol of dignity, courage and pride. This project further shows the commitment and dedication of the Ethiopian people to do great things by themselves.

Thus, it is therefore a do or die project and no power on earth can obstruct or delay it. Therefore, those with a wishful thinking who wish that the project would be stopped or delayed, it is time to close up and watch our leap frog progress that is intended to move this country forward. The dam is intended to scale up the developmental progress and improve the lives and livelihoods of our people. Further, it is part and parcel of the unprecedented progress our country is achieving. We all have to do our share by contributing our time, energy, finance and knowledge to realize the completion of our Grand Project.

When finished, we all will be proud of our accomplishment. The next generation will also be proud of their ancestors' achievement and that will be a triumph of a life time. What a pride it will be for all of us!

Here, it is important to note that there are few internal and external destructive groups with no moral or ethical standard, no values and norms. More importantly, they do not possess any national pride and think only for themselves at any cost. They made their day to day activity to obstruct and go against our national interest and are aligning themselves and acting like mercenaries with overt and/or covert agendas that advance the agenda of our enemies.

They are using variety of media outlets such as ESAT, VOA Amharic service etc. and sending poisonous messages in order to divert the good intention of the public at large here at home. However, the Ethiopian people are saying enough is enough as they do not have time to listen to those poisonous messages. Our people are busy working day and night to improve their lives and develop their country. The Ethiopian people are now more motivated and committed than ever to finalize the construction of their dream dam with tenacity and vigour. They now see the light at the end of the tunnel and are determined to make their dream a reality.

When finished, this grand project will bring about much more development and better way of life especially to the young generation. Therefore, it must be safeguarded, well protected and everyone must stand on guard for it. The young generation must not be misled by the few mercenaries' poisonous false and destructive messages via facebook, youtube and other social media outlets, but must focus on doing the right thing, work harder and smarter, educate themselves and put the nation amongst list of developed nations.

Our ancestors kept our nation free and proud and it is time that present and future generations make and this country developed and prosperous. This young generation must say no to destructive mercenaries who stand to jeopardize the developmental progress.

We all have moral obligation to join hands and support the construction of the dam. It is high time therefore to put aside our differences and to come together, to stop conflicts and make the right judgement.

Currently, every Ethiopian is contributing his/her share to the construction of the dam because the it belongs to all Ethiopians. It is their dam and they are very proud to be part of it. No other power can deny our right to using our resources so it is time for destructive elements and wishful thinkers to stop their menacing propaganda. Instead, they can turn pages and look for cooperation and collaboration.

Currently we have witnessed disturbances here and there within our nation. Few people spearheaded by enemies of our people have engaged in violent activities. They even want to disrupt the construction of the dam. They became causes for the unfortunate human as well as material losses in different cities. These recent actions by few people have put a test on the peaceful environment and rapid development that prevailed in our country for over twenty-five years. It also put a negative mark on the good image and hard work culture of our people.

Also, these few people who always work against peace and who have maintained the same agenda time and again still continue to work very hard against our peace and developmental activities. The Ethiopian people are sick and tired of violence instigators. Those fundamentalism ideas and dogmas are a game of the past and they are now obsolete.

There is firm determination on the part of the government and people of Ethiopia to change the nation for the better once and for all with the construction of this magnanimous dam.

The last ten years, Ethiopia has and continues to score double digit economic growth (11 per cent on average) by following an agriculture led industrialization and balanced economic policy which sets to ensure fair distribution of wealth, regulate and control inflation and allocate over 70 per cent of the national budget on poverty reduction and over 20 per cent on education, unmatched by any other African country. This has made Ethiopia amongst the fastest growing nations in the world. This pace will continue and within the next five years, the national economy will be two fold. Agriculture will also double, enhancing national productivity.

In this regard, the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will definitely play an important role in enhancing the Ethiopian economy. Hence, for this magnanimous project to succeed, governmental, non-governmental institutions, investors and the public at large from within and the Diaspora must discharge their share of responsibilities.

Here, it is important to note that Ethiopian Diaspora must continue with the commitment, tenacity and momentum that they have already started at this mementos and historic moment to strengthen and enhance their participation and contribution to make their dream of having the largest hydroelectric dam in the continent and one of the largest in the world a reality.

By doing so, Ethiopian Diaspora can nurture the relationships of accountability embodying practices of obligation, respect, responsibility and affinity that underpin their connection to the developmental endeavour of their country thereby bringing about a rapid and positive change. However, the work and contribution must continue with more vigour, tenacity, intensity, passion and momentum.

Diaspora Ethiopians must show more collaboration, dedication and commitment to help their country of origin, leaving their political differences aside. Now is a historic moment to demonstrate their commitment.

This project will open the path to Ethiopian greatness and prosperity. This will also remind all friends or non friends alike in clear and unequivocal term that there is no turning back for Ethiopians but to move forward towards progress and prosperity.

Therefore, keep up and continue contributing to the dam and buying bonds. Do not forget to buy bonds on behalf of your children, grand children, relatives, friends and loved ones so that they too can be part of history. Keep up the and continue with this unprecedented mobilization in order to make the dream a reality and see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is a judgement time; therefore, during this momentous and historic juncture where our people and our nation are making a major transformation, Diaspora Ethiopians must make a correct and historic judgement. Read more here