A consultation workshop held to discuss on the strategic partnerships for the establishment of the Nile Basin Dam Safety Training Center.

The consultation Workshop took place from 15-17 July 2024 in Sky Light Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This workshop focuses on the Establishment of Regional Dam Safety Training Center for the NBI Region. The Regional Dam Safety Training Center is envisioned to contribute towards enhancing institutional and Human Resource Capacity of Nile Basin countries to better manage dam safety Risks, adopt good practice and encourage equivalence in dam safety management frameworks throughout the basin. The Workshop experts will also reviews the the work done so far in the establishment of the Training Center particularly the curriculum modules, the institutional framework for the Nile Basin Training center to ensure that the center will develop  skills and technical competencies of policy makers, dam owners, operators, regulators, technicians, etc and ensure safe design, construction, operation and safety management of Dams, as well as ensuring sustainable operation of the center through a strong partnership with related international institutions and development partners.

The workshop was graced by a number of esteemed high officials, his Excellency Dr. Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia and ENCOM Chair, Excellency Dr. Abraha Adunga State Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, ICOLD President Michel Lion and Vice President for Africa Region Dr. Quentine Shaw, Delegates from British Embassy, UNIDO and USAID Ethiopia, United States Bureau of Reclamation, United State Army Corps of Engineers, and United States Society of Large Dams, Canadian Dam Association, ICOLD Switzerland, International Water Disaster Management Japan, CEO of Ethiopia Electric power Mr. Ashebir Balcha, CEO Of Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority Mr. Zeribun Abate, Addis Ababa University Faculty of Technology, Scientific Director Dr. Bikila Teklu, Nile-SEC Executive Director, Dr. Florence Adongo, Technical Advisory Committee Members, National Committee of Large dams Representatives in the Nile Basin from DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

The welcome remarks were delivered by the Executive Director of ENTRO Dr. Salih Hamad, Dr. Salih state that ENTRO has so far done a lot in the way to establish the Regional Dam Safety Training Center by identifying key human and Institutional capacity training center gaps, training  needs and develop a strategic document for subsequent activities including but not limited to curriculum development, training modules and framework for the regional training center. Also, ENTRO hired three international recognized Dam Safety experts, A senior Dam Safety Specialist and Institutional Development Specialist says Dr. Salih. 

Accordingly, Dr. Salih Invite Nile-SEC Executive Director, Dr. Florence Adongo.  During the opening remarks Nile-SEC Executive Director, Dr. Florence Adongo, said that “Dams and reservoirs to serve the people of the Basin effectively for the present and future generations, there must be proper Dam safety management processes right from planning, construction accompanied by proper operations and maintenance following best acceptable practices at each stage” says Dr. Florence Adongo which was followed by the remarks from ICOLD President Michel Lion.

The ICOLD President Michel Lion state that “In the last decade, too many dams have been affected by serious incidents or failures during the first filling or the first 5 years of operation. The concern about dam safety is related to insufficient capacity and expertise at the global level. Capacity building appears to be a critical issue at the global level. Maintaining our reservoirs and creating new storage capacity is essential to meet the challenges of climate change adaptation and energy transition in the context of a growing population. We need to educate the young generation that will gradually take over” Says ICOLD President Michel.

Finally at the commencement of his address, his Excellency Dr. Habtamu Itefa, Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia and ENCOM Chair, emphasize that “Dam failures are among the worst manmade disasters experienced in a peacetime. We should all work together to avoid or reduce the risks at all cost and strength dam safety management in our member countries. The Government of Ethiopia is committed to provide all necessary support to operationalize this training center, together with the member states.” Says Dr. Habtamu Itefa and declares the opening of the meetings and extends his best wishes for a productive workshop.