Ethiopia presses with Nile projects despite Egypt’s opposition

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Ethiopia presses with Nile projects despite Egypt’s opposition

Posted on 03/08/2011 in Latest Headlines | Comments (0)

Ethiopia has launched its biggest ever irrigation project over the Nile River after receiving US$100 million from the World Bank. The project is going ahead despite disapproval from Egypt, which is against such activities along the Nile.

 

It will become Ethiopia’s biggest water project along the Nile alongside the Great Renaissance Dam hydro power dam project.

 

Construction of the Renaissance Dam, which will boost Ethiopia’s electricity exports in the region, sparked a diplomatic row with Egypt over the use of the Nile’s water.

 

Hayalsew Yilma, the programme coordinator in the Ethiopian ministry of Water and Energy on Tuesday said a feasibility study and detailed design works for the Megech-Seraba and Ribb irrigation project were now complete.

 

The project is expected to 100,000 hectares of land in the Horn of Africa country’s Nile Basin.

 

The World Bank approved a loan of US$ 100 million in 2008 to help the country increase its agricultural productivity, accelerate growth and reduce rural poverty.