By Peter Greste | BBC News, Ethiopia
Deep in the gorge country that falls off the Ethiopian plateau, workers in boots and hard hats are hammering, drilling, blasting and digging their way into the mountainside for the foundations of the vast wall that will, when finished, create the second largest hydroelectricity dam in sub-Saharan Africa.
Teams of workers are blasting out the “keyhole” – the slot in the side of the valley that will hold the dam wall in place.
Others are finishing the concrete lining to the last of three 1,000m long tunnels that have already begun diverting the Omo River waters around the main construction site.
According to the engineers, they are now about a third of the way through the project, and on schedule to finish the Gilgel Gibe III hydroelectricity project sometime in 2012.
By then, the wall will soar 240 metres high – the tallest of its type anywhere in the world; holding back a reservoir 150 kilometres long.
The dam will provide 1800 megawatts of electricity. That will more than double the country’s current generating capacity in one hit, and according to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, solve a national energy crisis.
“We cannot afford not to have Gilgel Gibe III,” he said.
“We need that type of mega-project given the increased domestic demand and the requirements of export.
“And secondly, it enables us to store water and regulate the flooding [downstream in the Omo River].”
Tall order
But the dam will also produce far more electricity than the country is capable of consuming. The vast bulk of it has been earmarked for export to neighbours like Sudan and Kenya.
“That would provide us with valuable foreign currency that will help with our balance of payments,” said the prime minister.
So urgent was the need to get the dam built quickly that the government short-circuited the usual internationally accepted procedures for these kinds of massive infrastructure projects.
Usually, a government will first conduct a feasibility study followed by an environmental and social impact assessment to decide whether it really is wise to go ahead with the plan.
Then, it will raise the finance, call for competitive tenders and award the construction contract.
Instead, the government first negotiated the contract directly with Italian civil engineering giant Salini Costruttori.
It then went looking for the finance – a procedure that has left the government with a massive hole in its budget.
The two financial institutions that the government had hoped would back the project – the World Bank and the European Investment Bank – have both refused to get involved because the government broke international and domestic transparency rules by dealing directly with Salini.
“I think quite rightly, we have an obligation not only to do the right thing but to demonstrate very clearly that we are doing the right thing,” said Greg Toulmin, the World Bank’s country director for Ethiopia.
“In order to do that, we have to go through all these very meticulous processes to check all the aspects of any operation that we provide loan or guarantee to. That’s something that takes time.”
Standing firm
It’s a luxury that Mihert Debeba, head of the Electricity Corporation, said Ethiopia simply can’t afford.
He said: “Africa is in the dark. If we have to use very luxurious preconditions we wouldn’t develop any hydro-power.
“Give us a choice. Should we stay in darkness? Should we avoid all this development?”
The corporation also short-circuited the environmental and social impact assessment (EIA) process. Instead the study – which gave the project a clean bill of health – was published two years after construction began.
One of the project’s staunchest critics, Kenyan ecologist Richard Leakey, suspects the study was produced with one aim in mind.
He said: “The scientists that I’ve shown [the EIA] to – some of whom have worked in Ethiopia for years and may have even advised the Ethiopian government at some point – suggest it is fatally flawed in terms of its logic, in terms of its thoroughness, in terms of its conclusions.
“And it looks like an inside job that has come up with the results that they were looking for to get the initial funding for this dam.”
Before any large project can go ahead, Ethiopia’s Environmental Protection Agency first has to give its approval.
TewoldeBerhan Gebre heads the agency, and he dismisses critics like Mr Leakey as misguided.
“Leakey’s a big name but I don’t know what he’s based his arguments on. I don’t think he’s right,” he said.
“My experts have also examined it. They have studied the environmental impact statements. They have visited the site and I know them.
“I don’t know you. I trust them and I don’t care for what you say.”
Still, Mr Leakey’s criticism echoes that of another collection of European, American and East African academics calling themselves the “African Resources Working Group”, headed by University of Montana Geography Professor Jeff Gritzner.
The group has released a commentary on the environmental research, which asserts: “The document rests on a series of faulty premises and it is further compromised by pervasive omissions, distortions and obfuscation.
“The downstream EIA is laced with tables and figures with multiple types of ‘quantitative data’, creating the illusion of a scientific work.
“While this practice is well known to increase the likelihood of approval by development, finance and oversight agencies, it is fully unacceptable.
“The quantitative [and qualitative] data included in virtually all major sections of the report were clearly selected for their consistence with the predetermined objective of validating the completion of the Gibe III hydro-dam.”
The commentary goes on to insist that rather than being beneficial to the river valley as the government insists, the dam will “produce a broad range of negative effects, some of which would be catastrophic” to both the environment and the indigenous communities living downstream.
The science is still very much in dispute – a factor that Mr Leakey believes is reason enough to invoke the precautionary principle and stop the project before it is too late.
For if the Ethiopian government is wrong, those communities living along the lower Omo River Valley all the way down into neighbouring Kenya will pay a heavy price.
21 thoughts on “Scientists worry about the impact of Omo River dam”
Dear Elias,
I always listen BBC, both the audio and video. I don’t remember any good news from BBC. Now I have concluded that it is may be the policy of BBC(and the UK gov’t) to broadcast mostly bad news. It is true that there is impact on this huge project. But had it been the case that this project was owned by one of the UK citizen or a white man , do you think the bbc broadcast this news in same way?
this news service, bbc, is not giving a balanced news. It reflects the UK’s views, and the ppl of Ethiopia(not only the gov’t of Ethiopia) must be cautious when in dealing with western and other foreign companies and gov’ts regarding any relations.
Thank you BBC, Ethiopains know what is best for them. Please stop messing up and condescending reporting. I wish to report on many many social ailments in London. I just do not get why you treat us a client country.
Listen guys, let us not oppose any project the Woyanes devise just for the sake of opposing. I understand that many of the projects the Woyanes implement are full of corruption and lack transparency because it is a good means of stealing the peoples’ wealth. And we should oppose and expose that vigorously. But we should also understand that the all the big international agencies such as the World Bank, and the IMF are in business for the benefit of their host countries and, so far, their “aid” was never intended for the benefit of the recipients. Therefore, we should always take the criticism that is coming from their corner with a grain of salt.
The largest dam in the world that the Chinese are building was also not spared the criticism that the west is leveling at against Gilgel Gibe III project. Every big project comes at a price. The Chinese dam displaced more than two million people from their homes and Gilgel Gibe will also displace some Ethiopians from their homes. Like all the projects that are undertaken by the Woyanes in Ethiopia, this project is not immune from corruption, lack of transparency and thorough environmental scrutiny. But society has to strike a balance between development and the negatives that any project comes with. At present, there is an acute shortage of power in Ethiopia; even in the capital Addis, the power service is intermittent for the residents. Everyone agrees that power generation is a top priority for the nation. More than half of the population is still waiting for the introduction of electricity to their lives. I believe this project will help the nation in a lot of ways even though it comes at a hefty price for some of the natives and the environment.
I have many serious diferrences with this government. But I tend to support it regarding Gigel Ghibe III hydro-electric project. Like the Electric Co. head Mihret, I also believe that Ethiopia cannot afford to forgo development projects such as this on environmental or social grounds.
Long term socio-economic benefits outwieighs the environmental costs. It is impossible to envisage industrial development or the expansion of services without adequate and reliable energy. I can understand why the Kenyans are against the project. As Omo river flows into Lake Rudolf/Turkana, there will be undoutedly downstream effects, though seasonal one, when the river flow is low.
I remember similar resistance that stood against the Bujagali falls in Ginja, Uganda, at the source of the White Nile. There, the concerns include lose of toursit attaraction because of the disappearance of water surffing capability of the falls. It was clear to understand Egyiptians were not happy that dam was built on the very source of the White Nile. ….
I have no problem with projects such as this one. This is one of the most crucial foundations that has been lacking back home. Yes, so called environmentalists have their say but I think in this case the benefits will outweigh some of the effects on nature around there. There is a lot in nature that must be tamed for the good of the country on the long run. I had lived in the area for a few years back in the early 60’s. I can remember seeing the two mighty rivers of Gojeb and Gibbe just flowing by to meet up down the line and end up in one useless lake. We were using ‘masho’ lanterns to teach adults at night and for stage plays( I was teaching as a part of the field service program). I also remember how a lot of people used to suffer from flooding down stream. Even back then there were talks about erecting dams to eliminate flooding and produce electricity for the area. I remember hosting surveying students from the building college( I think that was where they were from, if my memory does not fail me) who came down there to survey the valley around the Gojeb and Omo river areas. In the long run industrialization will overwhelm the politics in the society.
Even the World Bank and the EU who gave billions to the Woyanne regime are washing their hands off of this project. Currently, it is widely known that the Woyannes have amassed incredible amount of personal wealth by looting the Ethiopian treasury. By all indications this is just another dumb move designed to hoodwink the Ethiopian people. Project such as the one that ruined the Koka Dam and rendered the pristine environment and devastated the population is a vivid example of the disregard and contempt this regime is perpetrating against the people of Ethiopia and without any regard to both the short term effects of irresponsible actions emanating from the corrupt regime.
we need the power, and the water for irrigation. but we also have to protect and care for the interest of the indigenous people of the Omo valley and turkana.
Ethiopian dams are perfect!!! It not only benefits our people but also to all people of the region (Africa and the Middle East). I am 100 % behind the government on the the road and dam issue. We all know why Europeans are crying now. Let them know that we know their hidden agenda!!! Currently nothing is going on in the right direction on Ethiopian soil as far as the Meles regime is concerned but dams and roads. To our Ethiopians do not forget what kind of deaf ear did the so called these people have given us when we were in the 2005 Election turmoil. This comment/reporting brings their hidden agenda bold enough! Imagine what they all have reported about it three about years ago when there was flooding in that region…
Yager Lij
Dear Ethiopian
The so called scientist oppsed this project paid by our Enemy the Egyptian. I hate woyane but not long term projct like this one.
Keep build the Dam and Distroy woyanne !
Tulu Gemeda
The construction of the dam must be pursued with vigorous effort. There is nothing new about mr. Leakey and other environmental and ecological experts forwarding their criticism. In fact it is a healthy situation if the ‘all we know’ government could use it if it wants. All these experts were voicing the same opinions and outrages as recently as I guess 2000 when the Chinese were building the largest so called three gorge dam on the Yangtiz river. We all have fundamental problem with the Woyannes. Governments come and go. But Ethiopia will survive as it did for centuries. The dam will be useful for generation to come. Unfortunately, there will be negative consequences for communities and the environment as well. But what matters is whether the benefits out weigh the damage. In my opinion it’s a clear benefit for the country.
Powerful nations like US, Russia, France China… builds nuclear power for military purpose. Do they needed OK signature from environmentalists? Check the Manhattan project. The environmentalists were not consulted.
Hi Guys,
It is historic that such issues come from neighbouring countries, this time Kenya in the name of “Kenyan ecologist Richard Leakey.” There is a saying that “Wusha bebelabet yichohal.” Sorry for the unavoidable word in the quotation. What I am surprized out of all the argument from Mr. Leakey is that he straight forward jumped to the conclusion: “The project should be stopped.” If we were to believe him instead of our renowned Dr. Tewoldeberhan, why should’t he recommend other options, such as paying visit to the area, send the so called “Scientists” to the area and have first hand information. As to the BBC, we know that it sells News from Africa, only if the people in the video footage either carry AK47s or dying from hunger!
Blessing my people!! Look, this is not a rocket science, we are in the 21th century and Africa can no longer stay in the dark. Evolution exists and we must evolve like we have been doing for thousands of years, we have no choice. If there is any changes that will affect the indigenous people of the Omo valley and turkana, we must do something about it from the benefits of the Gibe III. We must take care of our brothers and sisters, we cannot just ignore them and turn our backs if there is any affects in there lives and we won’t, we will improve their way of life as we are going to do for us. There are many challenges and I should also note that JP Morgan chase is one of the investors which make me very suspicious but regardless of my suspicion and all the critics, the Gibe III project must be completed because we need it. Sometimes, misguided souls will do things for the sole benefit of themselves and at the end whatever they did will end up benefiting the once who didn’t have the power to do what’s necessary and not the once with evil intention, nature has a mysterious way of balancing. Good example of this will be all the infrastructure build by Italy trying to colonize us and at the end we benefited from it, not them. God bless us all and God bless Ethiopia!!
am actually surprised that after almost two wasted decades, something really good is comming from Woyane finally! I beleive this project is very essential for our country. We need several of such strategically significant projects if we want to see ourselves develop. Crying for investment and industralization is empty with out a dependable energy source, and this would be one for Ethiopia. In addition, provided it is designed well, the dam would improve the livelyhood of the surrounding people through increased fishery and irrigated agriculture. This is a project that should unite us, not ‘a dam that divide us’ according to some misplaced title. We should keep in mind that water is a resource getting even more scarce by the day. For centuries Ethiopia’s rivers have been blessing other countries and will continue to do so. It is up to us to step up to the plate and get a fair share of the blessing. When the time comes to share, of course some parties who were sole beneficiaries will not be happy to give up some. So they have started a media war in the name of the ‘environmnet’ and call Ethiopia to halt the construction. They urge the project stopped even when they admit that their argument is based on disputed science. This is the height of arrogance and an insult to all of us Ethiopians. Gilgel Gibe III is essential for Ethiopia and it is an example to how to dig ourselves from poverty! I urge everyone of us to stand up to the likes of Richard Leakey and the so-called “African Resources Working Group” and tell them to shut up!
we heard the same rhetoric and lies about dedessa dam and koka dams. Did we already forget that? they said it is the largest hydro power bla bla…ethiopia would export to other nations…bla bla…and then all of a sudden guess what…they started rationing electricity in major cities last week. ay wurdet!!. I never trust woyannes! 7 years ago, the Chinese started building one of the biggest dams in Ethiopia. according to their plan, it would be finished in 5 years. where is the light now? hahaha. read the story below!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2188785.stm
In spite of my disagreement with the current thug regime, this massive project actually will do a lot good thing to Ethiopia. We don’t have the luxury of Environmental impact while majority of the people living in dark and hunger. If we can live in light for a few year and die – we would prefer that. If world bank won’t fund, we will – the Diaspora community. The Government? okay – who…may be a new government will have to issue a bond, and each of us will purchase $ 1000, and we could raise over billons dollar – the challenge is – will the government convince me?
If the BBC and its supporters of lie do not leave us alone, we will continue to haunt them with more progressive projects?!
Beware of the Media such as the BBC!
They are DYING and in the process they want to destroy everything they see developing and growing.
Many of us know the public resentment towards the media due to the lies included in their reports. In turn, this led to the condition that people do not want to buy all such false information. Hence, sells fall, advertisers cancel their contract and ultimately the false propaganda machines are being closed.
Out of despair to keep their head above the dirt in which they are sinking, some broadcasting agencies like the BBC are trying to destroy, through false and illogical reports, the progresses which they see in any part of the world. Those parts of the world could be inhabited by poor and uncivilized people who might have not seen an electric bulb let alone electric light in their huts. These people could be some how near a hydroelectric power dam project in Ethiopia
So, these reporters of lies bought by some inhumane people who want others to remain backward and uncivilized for the sole reason of visiting theses areas under different pretexts to entertain and assure their ego which tells them that they are unique and superior to other human beings. To me, these people are by heart advocates of the Hitler agenda.
BBC … shame on you! Our local people will be able to share from the development and the project. Their children will be educated and when you return next time to bribe their fathers to speak what you have told them to memorize before recording their voices and arouse them for distorted News, these children of ours will stand up and tell you to go the hell out of their village!
Here we go again BBC! They are concerned for the people in Omo valley but have no care for millions in darkness. The Kenyan ecologist has the right to question the project since his country is a stakeholder in the watershed. However, he got to understand the imminent need of millions of people in both side of the river. As ecologists we have to get ourselves neutral and in the mean time not forget the fierce urgency of know as they call it.
I would say this though. The Ethiopian government has to consult all professionals in the country who have the expertise in the field rather than use them as a shield against criticism.
I hope even with the lack of fund, the government will push the project to the other end of the tunnel. If we ask this money for food aid they will be happy to give us, they are sick when they saw country like Ethiopia do something that can bring significant impact in future development. GIBE III and the coming GIBE VI and the hydro power projects on the NILE are very crucial in laying down the foundation for future development. I don’t like the woyanes approach in building democracy. They have been abusing human right and the freedom of Ethiopian people to a large extent, but the coming democratic movement also needs this sort of infrastructure. Therefore, i would say we shall unite to bring such projects to life.
I would suggest a private-public trust fund owned by Ethiopians abroad to fund such projects. We can establish such kind of trust funds easily, energy projects are very profitable and are a long term investment. Country’s in the middle east built such fund very easily and now they are the front runners in most of energy projects. I would be happy to put all my K’s for such kinds of company.I will hope some one in the financial sector will take this seriously and come up with such kind of financial institute.
I hope the best for Ethiopian people, I think We deserve much better than this.
yours
This is best thing ever for Ethiopia. Also tunnel power on Blue Nile would benefit all Ethiopia and even Egypt, as flood would even out with large barrage on Blue Nile for the benifit of all N Africa.
This is horrible, it would flood out nearly 500,000 people who didn’t even need electricity in the first place, why didn’t they build it somewhere else?