At the surprising announcement of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) exactly five years ago, the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had said: "The project takes the pride of place representing an incomparable addition to our national plan for expanding power production.

It will not only raise our own power generating capacity and meet our domestic needs, it will also allow to export to neighbouring countries and mobilize the resources necessary for the realization of our rapid development endeavor which are already yielding promising results."

Over the years, the launch of the official construction of the Dam has played a significant and decisive role in realizing the country's Growth and Transformation Plan thereby advancing towards the eradication of poverty and ensuring economic development.

The 5th year anniversary of the launch of the construction of the GERD is taking place under the theme: 'GERD: Bearer of our Identity, Nation's Renaissance Torch.

In his keynote address at the 5th year anniversary of the launch of the construction of GERD made at the spot of the grand project Guba yesterday, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said that the day has a special significance which Ethiopians shatter the impossible mentality and herald economic development journey.

The Premier said that the GERD has demonstrated Ethiopia's right to the fair utilization of the water resources without violating the rights of its neighbours.

The Dam will not only provide power to Ethiopia but also offers mutual opportunities to riparian countries especially Sudan and Egypt.

Certainly, Hailemariam said that GERD is a springboard for Ethiopia to be a power house for Africa.

"The grand project vividly depicted that Ethiopia has not only interest but also capability to build such huge and popular dams, " he noted.

Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen, who is also Chairperson of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation for GERD Construction, on his part said that the cooperation and elevated spirit of citizens has continued with stern commitment for the realization of the the grand dam.

"We have reached over half of its construction stage with auspicious success. Every Ethiopian at home and abroad has been and would continue support," he said.

Ethiopian Electric Power CEO Eng. Azeb Asnake also said that the construction has reached over 50 per cent after daunting challenges.

The CEO said that the installation of transformers and other electro-mechanical works as well as the construction of heavy line power transmission centers is nearing completion at Dedessa and Holeta.

Currently, over 10,000 permanent and temporary jobs have been created for citizens and over 300 foreign nationals are also employed by the Chief contractor Salini IMPREGILO and the Ethiopian Metals and Engineering Corporation are working day and night.

GERD Project Manager Eng. Simegnew Bekele and other officers from Salini IMPREGILO have briefed the gathering at the event that attracted senior government officials and dignitaries on the status of the construction of the GERD.