Ethiopia: Two decades to develop Addis Ababa’s river basins

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By

Fanuel Lakew

Addis Ababa, the hub of the African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and various international organizations, will take 20 years to develop all 72 river basins and greenery.

The City River Buffers Development Project Office Head Debella Biru related to me that the project consists of fixing drainage basins, disconnecting the flow of wastewaters into the rivers, and developing greenery areas, among others. However, he said that the number of years can be reduced to ten if investors, pertinent government bodies, NGOs and the public at large involve themselves in the project. In doing so, the government should play its role in creating awareness among the aforementioned actors to take part in developing river basins and greenery.

Biru also noted that the office is working to protect river basin buffers from substantial flooding and turn brownfields and buffers into green spaces. In this regard, the agency is also working the biological and physical works transplanting trees and grasses along the river basins.

Since 2017, the agency has identified 27 spots and has been undertaking projects to develop a number of river basins in Yeka and Gullele Subcities. In addition to this, water harvesting and terracing works are also undertaken in green belt areas.

It is learnt that the project has four phases, of which each will take five years. The office is still in the first phase. Moreover, the office is merged with other like-minded agencies and organizations under the newly established River Basins and Greenery Development Agency. Gulelle Botanic Garden, Beautification, Park, and Cementer Development Agency, Addis Zoo and Entoto Tourists Destination Office among others.

Fanuel Lakew

Fanuel Lakew is a reporter at the Ethiopian Herald Newspaper of the Ethiopian Press Agency. He did his B.A. degree in Political Science and International Relations from Addis Ababa University in 2012. He also served as the Secretary-General of the Ethiopian Political Science and International Relations. He as well studied M.A. in Politics and International Relations at the Central University of Gujarat, India. He can be reached at [email protected]