“We still stand on our own regarding the construction of the Renaissance Dam” Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalgne
A water engineer by profession and former Arbaminch University president, through the years, he served in various positions in this party and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State before assuming the second most powerful position in the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). In the backdrop of the recent wave of hydro-power project conceived on the single most contentious river in the region, the Nile, and the commencement of the new national council heading the dam project, he briefed the local press on the matter. Excerpts.
Q: Since the announcements of the Renaissance Dam, people all over the country are giving money, buying bonds to contribute towards the 80 billion birr construction cost. Among these are public servants in various government institutions who are sacrificing their one-month salary for the cause. However, some of the meetings where such decisions are passed seem to be driven as per the voice of the participants present, while monthly income is supposed to be a private matter left only to individuals. What is your take on this issue?
A: To begin with, when the construction of the dam was announced we did not expect such a popular wave of movement from the people. However, it does not mean that all have the same set of mind on the matter. Hence, from the get-go that is why we try to take an all-round approach where everyone participates on individual terms and willingness. As observed in the government institutions, the public sector employees decided and are deciding to donate their one-month salary to the construction of the dam. This does not mean that just because the majority of the employees decided to do so, each and every one of the employees have to abide by it. After the collective meetings where these decisions are taken, there is another step where each signs to give the money. The final say rests on the individual and there is no way that collective decisions can decide on personal property and rights. This is not something that is designed for this dam contribution matter. In fact it has been in the law that governs these government institutions all along. It is obvious that everyone cannot be present at these collective meetings, nor is it the case that everybody will have the chance to speak at these meetings and reflect their true feeling for various reasons. Yet, when such decision enter into force it is the individual employees who gets to the make the choice on their personal earnings. The concern by itself should not be there as the basic right of employees to decide on personal earnings is embedded in rules and principles that these institution work under.
That being said, it will be naïve to assume that there will be no glitches in a mass movement of this scale. Partly this is the reason why we have to set up a national committee to oversee the whole process. Wastage of resources meant for the dam is one problem that we (the council) are looking into. The public servant support and movement is just one part of the coin in the nationwide, all-sector wave in the nation. At times like this there could be some who want to benefit by exploiting the whole situation and this is where the guidance of the council is required. Had it been easier to coordinate the construction and movement of the people by whatever government framework at the ground, the council would not have been need in the first place.
Q: But you do think that is how it is done on the ground? Do you think the employees are not forced by meetings and mass sentiments into giving away their one-month salary?
A: As I have said earlier this not a new system that we have put in place just for the purpose of fund-raising for the Renaissance Dam construction. It has been there in the rules and regulation and these institutions have been working with it for a number of years. Even in the case of disciplinary penalty on employees, it is not up to another party to decide on the income of the worker without the worker’s consent. As far as the dam construction is concerned, the government wants every contribution and participation extended to the dam in full willingness and solidarity to the cause. Hence, partly the responsibility of the council will be to ensure the democratization of the whole process and cater for this nationwide movement that public servants fall as one part.
Q: What can you tell us about the compositions of the council?
A: As to the composition we have tried to incorporate as much as possible a wide range of the society in the country. Opposition political party members, who happen to be in the joint party council, athletes like Haile Gebresilassie, Derartu Tulu. Meseret Defar, Kenenisa Bekele are included in the council. On the other hand, renowned scholars, religious institution leaders, artists and businessmen, federal and regional government bodies are also in the new council. All in all the council is made up of some 75 people and the list would be made public shortly. Since it is directly accountable to the prime minister himself, the deputy prime minister will be its president and the head of the Office of Government Communication Affairs would also serve as the secretary of the council. Essentially the project is a government project with a slight twist which is the fact that it involves a lot of mass participation; hence it falls under the government body but as much as possible minimum presentation of the latter in the council itself.
Q: What are the criteria that the 75 people had to meet in order to be part of the council?
A: There is no list of criteria or quality that the membership of the council has depended on. The one and only criterion is just incorporating every part of the society in the county. We set out to pool all groups in the nation. It has government representation, civil society, religious institutions, artists (there are six artists associations and all are represented), scholars, political parties, professional associations (around 13 of them are in there). In case of some of the association where there is wide membership we tried to take more than one representative. On the other hand, it does not mean that the membership of the council has been completed; still if there are some not represented we can still take them in as the main goal is to be inclusive of the whole society.
Q: When it comes to overseeing the fund, is the council empowered over the finance raised from bond sales and other sources?
A: The council looks after all sort of financial resources collected in the name of the dam. There are sub-committees entrusted with controlling the bond sales revenue, there is another for diaspora affairs and still one for public mobilization and event management. There should not be any event in the name of the Renaissance Dam without the knowledge of the council. Not even a single dime should be solicited without the council’s knowledge. There is also another sub-committee that follows up on the progress of the construction of the dam and also will be informing the public about it. The progress of the dam and the amount of resources spent will also be accounted for periodically.
Q: In terms of finance, are there any hopeful pledges made outside of the country? What about Ethiopians in the diaspora or foreign aid agencies?
A: So far, the government’s conviction is to bear the cost of the dam from local sources and to that there is no change. The whole point is to leave some of our relics to postrity. It is something of the Ethiopian people and the government. However, there is no objection if there is some foreign national wanting to contribute to the construction of the dam. As far as finances go, we will not request assistance from foreign sources. That being said, when it comes to the Ethiopians in the diaspora, we believe they are Ethiopians and they can participate as any citizen in the construction of the dam. In some places they have formed committees to achieve this end and they are working with our councilor offices in there.
Q: Now that Egypt is softening in its stance on the idea of a dam on the Nile River, some are saying that since a dam is advantageous for the downstream countries, there could be some financing possibilities. Given Ethiopia’s stand on financing the dam, are you going to entertain such offers should there be any?
A: When it comes to decision about the financial sources the government is one on the driving seat. This is a matter of diplomacy and foreign relation. However, as I have said earlier, so far there is no change on our stand to build it with our own resources. Yet again if it safeguards national interest we will not hesitate to accept it. So, it is a matter of national interest and we will have cross that bridge when we get there. In my view the most advantageous is countries at that level of commitment for common cooperation. Sudan and Egypt, if willing to participate at that level, will be more advantageous not for the money but for something more than that, anyhow, it will be decided when it actually happens.
Q: Apart from the decision to complete the dam with our own resources and not to ask for foreign financial assistance, what are the prospects for loans?
A: After we have taken the decision to do it by ourselves, we have not gone for any financing schemes apart from our own. And before, we do know that thanks to relentless campaigns it was all blocked. However, after we have taken bold moves to do it, we have not checked so and do not know if there is any change there. In my view it is naïve to expect to change this soon and what we should focus on is just to work hard in that direction.
Q: President Esayas Afowerki of Eritrea has spoken on the matter recently. He said Ethiopia has the right to use the water; did that surprise you at all?
A: We have been listening to the president for years. If it is not altered in a matters of weeks maybe it might be possible to comment on the substance. So, it would be better to be asked after a week.
source waltainfo.com
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