"Reported deaths include engineers and workers, security forces, drivers, and residents who contributed to or supported the project in various ways. Former GERD chief project manager Simegnew Bekele stands out as one of the prominent figures who died under unclear circumstances, with speculation that he may have been assassinated in connection with the dam construction in July 2018. Simegnew was found with a bullet wound in his car in central Addis Ababa."
"Due to the dam's geopolitical sensitivity, Ethiopia did not receive any financial aid from major international lenders, such as the IMF, World Bank, or even the African Development Bank (AfDB). To raise funds, Ethiopia issued government bonds, rallied public donations, and even encouraged civil servants to contribute part of their salaries. The project united Ethiopians across political, ethnic, and economic divides, with millions contributing financially through bond purchases and donations."
Local media reported that over 14 years at least 15,000 people may have died during construction of the nearly $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Itefa declined to confirm or deny the figures and directed inquiries to relevant institutions. Reported deaths encompass engineers, workers, security forces, drivers, and residents involved with the project. Former GERD chief project manager Simegnew Bekele died under unclear circumstances in July 2018, found with a bullet wound in his car. The dam is expected to double Ethiopia’s electricity output, and its commissioning may draw continental dignitaries while attendance by Egypt and Sudan remains uncertain. Ethiopia financed the project without major international lenders by issuing bonds, soliciting public donations, and encouraging civil servants to contribute; a Chinese loan supported critical infrastructure.
Read at www.dw.com
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