Gibe III: Turning the Curse to Blessing

Dejene Sojato Nov 26, 2011- The Omo River had never been friendly for people in the upstream and downstream. There have been unpredictable floods and droughts that cost the lives of people in the south Omo while the people of in the Dawro and Welayta Zones in the upstream separated by convulsive flow of the river.

There are almost nine ethnic groups practice at least some flood retreat cultivation and flood recession cropping in all four weredas- Hamer, Salamago, Nyangatom, and Dasenech, from the Omo River.

Recently, delegates from each of the ethnic groups paid a four-day visit to Gibe I, II and II. During the visit, Lokomore Lotolen, a community leader from Dasenech ethnic group said that thousands of people and animals loose their lives in floods in rainy seasons and the flow of the river decreases due to drought and affect the flood recession farming. “We are now well aware of the fact that Gibe III Project is a real solution to the irregular flow of the river,” he said and expressed his readiness to help his community understand the multifaceted benefits of the project.

It is total prevarication that the project decreases the flow of the Omo river, a Mursi ethnic community leader, Kumoli Dorepa, said. “In my understanding, the project has a great importance to change the lives of people in the South Omo Zone,” he added.

The representatives also said that rumors which were spread by some individuals and organizations are contrary to the fact on the ground. Those that spearheaded all negative campaign against Gibe III can't represent the people of South Omo, they said.

Melkamu Zero, South Omo Zone deputy administrator said the Project has paramount importance to bring about development in the area. It will help people get water throughout the year as the project guarantees regular flow of the River, he said.

When the Project is completed, he said, people will have more access to water and lead sedentary lives.

Upstream eyes more benefit
Omo River used to affects the social interactions and the socio-economic values of the people living on both sides of the river. People in the upstream including Dawro, Wolayita, Hadiya, Kembata, Tembaro and Oromo ethnic groups would easily access to markets and visit their relatives crossing the river for its flow is regulated at the end of Gibe III Project.

Kindo Didia of Wolayta Zone Development Coordinator Teferi Luwa said that people used to be attacked by crocodiles while crossing the Omo River but now such incidents would be history. The people have now started enjoying the fruits of the project, he said.

The community has benefited from the construction of roads and bridges as part of the project making their lives simple and productive, he said. “There were rumour that we would be displaced as the project is launched. However, on the contrary my family is greatly benefiting from the Project. The project has created job opportunity for my children and other people in the area and small businesses such as shops and restaurants are flourishing,” he said.

Communities now have alternative roads and new a bridge to exchange their agricultural products in the market, he said. The development of infrastructure including roads and schools, among many others, enable them to lead quality life.

Negative campaigns
It was in 2009 a BBC reporter came up with the most controversial documentary - “The dam that divides Ethiopians”

“We have no any idea about Gibe III project till a BBC reporter told us that the flow of the Omo River would be affected. There were dismay and rages. But, now I clearly see the project won't harm us whatsoever. They deceived us,” Lukumore Lotolon said.

Akuru Lorengo, a representative of Nyangatom ethnic group also said that there were some misunderstandings about the project among his community and some manipulated this for their vested interest . “We have fully realized the government's effort to develop the Omo River for the welfare the people for which our support is unwavering,” he added .

The BBC was not the only organization spreading such misleading information about Gibe III Project. There were other “environmentalist” and “traditionalist” groups that fan their unfounded stories. “There were no adequate awareness raising activities at grassroots level at the launching of the project that in turn created a loophole for the likes of the BBC to fan the rumors, said Betegelu Adane Environmental and Social Impact Expert of Gibe III.

According to Beteglu, those groups that oppose the project do understand well that the project won't consume any water and harm people in the downstream. “What these groups want is the people of South Omo to remain undeveloped and serve their interest as a tourist attraction.”

Gibe III in full swing
Project Manager Azeb Asnake said that over 48 per cent of the project has been completed. “So far, installation works, river diversion, dam abutment excavation for Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam construction are completed among many other preliminary works. Now, the Omo River flow passes through three diversion tunnels and the area of the dam foundation and powerhouse is fee of water,” she said.

Azeb said the excavation of two tunnels to the powerhouse has been completed. And over 150-kms access roads inside the site are constructed, she said, adding the electromechanical works are well in progress. According to the Manager, a series of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) had been conducted prior to the launching of the project. The ESIA includes mitigation measures to reduce or offset negative impacts if any, Azeb said.

“The flow the river won't be affected in whatsoever circumstance as we are using it to generate electricity,” she said. “Rather, the project ensures the regular and adequate water levels at all times of the year.” “On the project there are two middle outlets capable of discharging up to 800 m3/sec each as part of a mitigation measures to release artificial flooding to control the overflowing of the river and thus to sustain of recession agriculture for downstream people,” she said.

Upon completion, the project ensures a timely discharge of the water of the Omo River for the development of agriculture, livestock and fishery in the area, Azeb said.

Having a height of 243m and total installed capacity of 1,870MW, the Gibe III Hydroelectric Project is the highest Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam in the world. The project will increase the generation capacity of Ethiopia by 234 per cent making the power export programme viable .The Project is expected to generate 6,400 GWh energy annually.