Ever since Sileshi Demissie, as known as Gash Aberra Molla, began his one man campaign to keep Addis Abeba green and clean, which included his “wash your hands” campaign, there has been an increasingly growing public focus on environmental sustainability. Evidence of this includes recent efforts to protect the environment, such as the renovation of long abandoned water reservoirs.
I do not know who initiated the project, but my imagination encourages me to think it could have been Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, or other gurus in the field of hydrology. It may even have been the association of daring archaeologists, who might have prepared a list of some historical relics left in ruin, but which need to be restored for future preservation.
That is why many positive thinking folks, including me, welcome the decision by the Ethiopian government to restore the 82 years old Akaki Hydropower Dam.
In light of Ethiopia’s strides to develop and expand its hydropower production over the last seven decades, Akaki’s initial production of only six mega watts could be considered insignificant. Nonetheless, its restoration project does not just signify the country’s craving to discover its history, but also its unfaltering commitment to contribute its share in the global endeavour to supply healthy water and protect marine life.
During the early years of the Dergue regime, I was invited to see a demonstration of military capacity. This involved the deployment of an armoured truck that could go over land and water by changing into a boat, like an amphibian. The display took place on the surface of Akaki Lake, also known as Aba Samuel, but I prefer to call it Akaki Dam because the body of water is separate from the 10Km long Akaki river.
I could see that there were fish farmers trying to catch fish inside the filthy and stinking water body. There were farmers on the northern bank of the lake, producing all kinds of vegetables. I learnt later on that these vegetables were selling like hot cakes in the largest market, Merkato, every Sunday morning.
I am not sure if the dam still functions or not, but I imagine that the sediment that has accumulated over the past eight decades might have filled the water reservoir or caused the first power dam not to function. Trying to renovate it requires something beyond a face lift.
It should have the inputs of several experts of various fields, including hydrologists, environmentalists, civil engineers, electrical engineers and above all archaeologists. The restoration project may involve some diversion of the river and opening up of the spill way to drain some water from the dam in order to create a landing for the algae cleaning machine that also tackles under water weeds and silt. These are not beyond our local capacities and resources.
Job opportunities could have been created, instead of tendering this out to foreign contractors.
The project undoubtedly could have far reaching implications and cumulative effects. There are a few streams and brooks flowing from the northern part of the capital, draining into the 10Km long Akaki River. These streams and rivers are illegally used as sewers by many irresponsible households who connect their septic tanks or waste water sewers to it.
All this waste and other dumped items get carried by the annual flow of torrential rainfall down to the Akaki River and fill the dam causing it to fail prematurely. After all, 82 years is a long period of time for any water dam to last, even under better conditions.
The power house and the electro-mechanical part of the engine may be outdated and old-fashioned. But the engineering and mechanical principles, I dare say, are basically the same. University students or even technical high school students can still benefit from site visits or tender analysis.
I believe that the restoration project could have sidelined impacts, such as tourist resort centres. This might involve the rehabilitation of access roads to the dam, where the clean environment could host a number of activities, such as a fishing pond, vegetable shops, dairy or poultry stands.
In due course, serious inspections and follow-ups could be made along the banks of the rivers and streams in the capital. This will mean the better flow of cleaner water to drain into the dam.
I remember, as a boy scout in the Tafari Mokonnen School, we used go on day long hike and used to camp on the bank of the river, very close to where the bridge is located. The water was very clean, so clean that some of us had learned how to swim. I am afraid I cannot say that these days.
I started this article focusing on the positive implications that this project could have on the once lost relics, regardless of who initiated it. What I really hope is that the project could be a prelude to the renaissance of Ethiopia’s past history.
The exact definition of the concept of transformation in socio-economic terms may be debatable. But one thing is clear and beyond doubt. Restoration or renovation of the Akaki Dam is nothing but a genuine renaissance in the historical sense of the term. I hope that many of our historical relics and recently demolished monumental constructions will be restored in due course.
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