Speaking on a two day workshop opened in Baherdar, H.E Ato Asfaw Dengamo, Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, said that Ethiopia had depended on rainfall for the past thousands of years to satisfy the food requirement of Citizens. Accordingly, the Government has been striving to reduce poverty attaching attention to the proper utilization of the country’s water resources.

H.E further stressed that the growth corridor of the Tana Beles integrated basin development project would have a significant contribution to expand Agro Industry, Investment, Power Generation and Tourism. Moreover it creates market link with neighboring countries.

Ms Christina Musisi, UNDP Deputy Country Director for Ethiopia, on her part said that Tana Beles has a significant contribution to the reduction of poverty from Ethiopia. and the UN has strong commitment to support the Government of Ethiopia to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Ato Feke-Ahemed Negash, the project coordinator, said that the first phase construction of the Tana Beles Project would enable to develop 250,000 hectares through irrigation. He added that the cost of the Project is 700 million and more than four million people would benefit from it.

Participants drawn from the Ministry of Water Resources, Amhara & Benishangule Regional states & international stakeholders are attended the workshop.