Ethiopia officially took over the rotating leadership of the Nile Equatorial Lakes Council of Ministers (NELCOM) and the technical arm (NELTAC) from Burundi, with a promise to support NELSAP-CU to deliver investment to all Nile Basin Countries. The change of guard took place during the virtual 23rd NELCOM meeting held on 12th November 2020.
H.E Dr. Eng. Seleshi Bekele, the Minister responsible for Water Affairs of Ethiopia who is also the incoming NELCOM Chair noted that due to the urgent development needs of the countries within the Nile River Basin and the serious effects of climate change, the Basin is in great need of investment in water infrastructure.
“The Nile Basin Countries cannot speak of water, energy and food security while they are handicapped in water infrastructure investments,” the Hon. Minister said. He added that several studies had conclusively found that the Nile Basin will be affected by climate change in the form of periodic floods and droughts and that for them to be adequately prepared, they need infrastructure development.
“I take note of the impressive performance made by NELSAP-CU in the implementation of the investment projects, and attaining a performance level of 66% over the past one year, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, this is a commendable performance,” the Hon. Minister said. He added that he also took note of the large number of useful projects underway under NELSAP-CU and promised to support those that are in the pipeline and in need of urgent follow-up.
The Hon. Minister specifically mentioned the AfDB NEPAD-IPPF funded project between Kenya and Uganda (Angololo) where the two countries are required to avail their contributions. He also mentioned the interconnection of power between Ethiopia and South Sudan, for which he committed to work with his counterpart from South Sudan to avail to the secretariat the MOU that was signed to enable NELSAP-CU do resource mobilization and implementation. He also promised to support follow-up with D.R Congo to confirm its commitment to the D.R Congo-Uganda power interconnection.
The Hon. Minister asked NELSAP-CU to prepare a new pipeline of projects that will benefit all NBI countries including those in the Eastern Nile and assured of Ethiopia’s support.
“So far NEL secretariat has been working very efficiently and I assure the NELCOM members that Ethiopia will support and steer NELSAP-CU in order for it to continue to deliver investment results to the countries and ensure that it is strengthened during my term,” he added.
The Hon. Minister also called on few remaining countries yet to ratify the Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) to do so in order to put into force a cooperative mechanism that promotes mutual benefits for all the people in the Nile River basin.
Hon. Eng. Seleshi Bekele will lead NELSAP for the next one year, with support from the Nile Equatorial Lakes Technical Advisory Committee (NELTAC) chair, Dr. Yared Adanech, who is the Director General of Basins Development Authority of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.