Ethiopian origin, has become an engine of development through reinforcing national consensus.
Moreover, it has become the foundation for peace by strengthening bonds of cooperation between neighboring countries.
These were revealed at the 9th regular conference of Office of National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
During the meeting, the Council evaluated the fund-raising program and public diplomacy works carried out in the concluded Ethiopian fiscal year as well as discussed on the weed plant known as Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes), which spread on Lake Tana.
According to the Office, more than 1.2 billion birr has been collected from Ethiopians at home and abroad for the construction of the dam.
As part of the efforts to acquaint the international community with the exact information about the dam, local and different international media were invited and reported about the project in various languages.
During the conference, the participants highlighted the insufficiency of works carried out by the public diplomacy and also demanded its involvement in other sectors.
Regarding the current problem on Lake Tana, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity, Dr Eng Sileshi Bekele, said works are underway in partnership with local and international higher learning institutions to stop the spread of the weed.
Engineer Simegnew Bekele, Project Manager of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, briefed participants on the progress of the dam.
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