Ethiopia is solely directed at finalizing the construction and it does not intend to respond to every recurrent rumors and baseless reports. Tagel Kenubih, Deputy Director General at the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of the GERD tells The Ethiopian Herald. The construction of the dam is being carried out in line with the schedule reaching over 60 percent completion currently notes Tagel. So far 10.5 billion Birr is secured from the public, he further note adding that in the last year, the public has contributed financial assistance worth 1.2 billion Birr and is expected to contribute 1.5 billion birr this year. GERD could be used as an opportunity for bringing sense of cooperation and the tripartite national committee has continued to work on the studies, noted Zerihun.

Source: Ethiopian News October 12, 2017 09:00 UTC