Water Sector Development Program Vol 2
Water Sector Development Program Vol 2
Water Sector Development Program Vol 2
OCTOBER 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword ii
Abbreviations and Acronyms iv
Outline of the Report vi
SECTION I
SECTION II
SECTION III
References 134
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The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has begun to take systematic measures towards a more
fruitful utilization of the country's water resources. The Federal Government published the Ethiopian
Water Resources Management Policy in 1999 as an essential national policy document to steer the
development and management of the country’s water resources. This was followed by the preparation
of a National Water Strategy providing a roadmap to translate the policy into action. Last in the series
was the preparation of Water Sector Development Program (WSDP) that is presented in this report. It
defines concrete interventions in terms of projects and programs to achieve the water policy
objectives, using the guidelines set under the national strategy.
The WSDP is to have a time horizon of 15 years (2002–2016, by the international calendar). An
important feature of WSDP is the inclusion of priority projects from river basins master-plan studies,
as well as those identified by various stakeholders, especially the regional governments. Another
feature of the program is the inclusion of projects as discussed and agreed under the Nile Basin
Initiative (NBI). In summary, the WSDP provides an inventory of the projects to be implemented over
the next 15 years with accompanied investments. Overall environmental and social impacts of WSDP
are assessed to draw conclusions for future policy analysis, and guidelines provided as how to
undertake such impact analysis at the project level. A comprehensive institutional and financial
framework is proposed to secure successful implementation of the program.
A consulting agreement for preparing the WSDP was signed between the MoWR as Client, the Water
Works Design & Supervision Enterprise (WWDSE) as Consultant, and the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) as the UN executing agency in May 2000.
The WWDSE conducted the WSDP formulation work by engaging a team of senior national experts.
In addition, a team of national and international consultants made useful contributions to the report,
especially with regard to analysis of potential social and environmental impacts. The United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) provided the financial assistance, while UN DESA provided
overall technical assistance in finalizing the WSDP. Major outputs of the WWDSE consultancy
included the following.
The final report on WSDP is presented here in two volumes: Volume I: Executive Summary, and
Volume II: Main Report on Water Sector Development Program. This final report reflects the results
of various levels of reviews undertaken and coordinated by the Ministry of Water Resources, and thus
views expressed in this report are those of the Government of Ethiopia. The report highlights
technical content of planned activities, major outputs, and the investment plan. Related sectoral
programs, institutional interrelationships, and other technical considerations are identified as
important program components. The report draws heavily on the above mentioned documents, and
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has consulted many other policy documents during the course of this exercise. All background
documents are available upon request from the MoWR.
The Main Report on Water Sector Development Program contains 14 chapters, grouped in 3 sections
as outlined below.
Chapter 1 describes the physical and social context of Ethiopia that WSDP has been designed
for.
Chapter 2 presents an overview of the water sector in Ethiopia which draws primarily from
documentation of the 5-year development plans (1988–1992 and 1993–1997, Ethiopian
Calendar) and from information collected by consultants on field visits to the Regions.
Chapter 3 explains the rationale for developing a plan for the water sector, the
interrelationships with Federal and Regional Government agencies that WSDP depends on,
and the lessons learned from other sectoral development programs that can be applied in the
current scenario.
Chapter 4 outlines the methodology that was followed in articulating each stage of the
planning process.
Chapters 5 through 9 summarize the individual subsectoral programs for developing water
supply and sewerage, irrigation, hydropower, water resources (multi-sectoral and in general),
and institution- and capacity-building.
Chapter 10 brings together all the planned WSDP outputs and funding requirements (as
identified in Chapters 5 through 9 for implementing program activities.
Chapter 11 makes the case for assessing the possible social and environmental impacts of
WSDP. The text is based on a report by a team of national and international consultants.
Chapter 13 presents a plan of action for resource mobilization and makes the case for
achieving financial sustainability in future investments.
Chapter 14 sums up main conclusions and recommendations in the form of an action agenda
for the short-term.
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SECTION I
Chapter 1
Socio-economic Context
A prominent feature of Ethiopian topography is its rugged landscape, with the Great Rift Valley
dividing the country into the Central Highlands, which runs from north to south, and the Eastern
Highlands. Ethiopia’s landscape holds mountain chains, flat-topped plateau, deep canyons, river
valleys, and rolling plains. Altitudes range from 110 m below sea level in the Dallol Depression to
more than 4,600 m on the Semien Mountains. Extensive lowland areas with altitudes under 1,000 m
abound on the western, eastern, and southern margins of the country.
Despite Ethiopia’s location to within 15° of the equator, the Central and Eastern Highlands enjoy a
temperate climate because of the moderating influence of high altitude, with a mean annual
temperature rarely exceeding 20°C. The sparsely populated lowlands, on the other hand, typically
have sub-tropical and tropical climates. Rainfall generally occurs in a 5-month unimodal rainy season
from May to September in the western parts of the country and averages around 1,000 mm annually.
The eastern and southern parts, on the other hand, have bimodal rainfall averaging annually from less
than 200 mm in the semi-desert to 1,000 mm in the highlands. Rainfall can sometimes be erratic,
especially in the eastern half of the country. Drought is a common feature in the country.
1.1.2 Population
According to the 1994 census, Ethiopia had a population of 53.5 million, equally divided between
male and female. The 1999 statistical abstract of the Central Statistical Authority (CSA) estimated
that the population of Ethiopia would be 63.5 million as at 1 July 2000. The 1994 census projected
Ethiopia’s population to be 83.5 million by 2010 and 106 million by 2020. Those projections imply
average annual population growth rates of 2.90 per cent, 2.77 per cent, and 2.42 per cent, respectively,
between 2 successive years of projection, starting from the actual census year (1994). The breakdown
of population by region is given in table 1-1.
Nearly 81 per cent of Ethiopia’s population lives in the 3 regional States of Oromiya, Amhara, and the
Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) Region; representing 35 per cent, 26 per cent,
and 20 per cent of the national population, respectively. Excluding the Harari Region (a city-state) and
the Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa Administrative Councils (both of which are city administrations), the
SNNP has the highest population density (of about 111 people per km2), with Amhara having the
second highest population density (102 people per km²). Afar Region has the lowest population
density of any region (7 people per km²). Gambella and Benshangul-Gumuz also have low population
densities, with less than 11 people per km². At the woreda level, Gog of Zone 3 in Gambella, and
Guba of Metekel Zone and Yaso of Kemeshi Zone in Benshangul-Gumuz, are among the woredas
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with the lowest population densities in Ethiopia (less than 3 people per km²). At 895 people per km²,
Wonago Werda of Gedeo Zone in SNNP has the highest population density in the country.
Ethiopia’s population is 85 per cent rural and 15 per cent urban. The economically active population
is 49.6 per cent of the total population. Unemployment in 1994 was 2.9 per cent at the national level;
i.e., 22 per cent for urban and 0.7 per cent for rural areas of the country.
The 1994 census established 2 major types of migration patterns: rural–urban and inter-urban. The
former is the most dominant migration pattern by far. In 1994, the estimated number of migrants in
the country was 6.9 million.
Additional indicators of relative poverty include a high rate of infant mortality, limited access to
potable water, and a low level of dietary intake, as measured in calories. Ethiopia has one of the
lowest social indicators in sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Development Report
(1999/2000) and African Development Indicators (1998/99), from 1995 to 1997, Ethiopia had an
infant mortality rate of 107 per 1000 live births and a maternal mortality rate of 1,400 per 100,000
live births. Life expectancy at birth is 43 years, and only 26 per cent of population has access to
potable water.
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The corresponding figures for all of sub-Saharan Africa are infant mortality of 91 per 1,000 live
births, maternal mortality of 820 per 100,000 live births, life expectancy of 52 years, and 47 per cent
of the population with access to safe drinking water. Access to potable water in urban (excluding
Addis Ababa) and rural areas of Ethiopia averages about 65.3 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively.
Sanitation services, even in urban centers excluding Addis Ababa, are almost non-existent. The
1992/93 daily per-capita dietary intake of 1,518 calories or 447 grams of cereal equivalent fails to
meet the minimum requirement of 2,100 calories established by the World Health Organization
(WHO). In consequence, about 48 per cent of Ethiopian children under age 5 suffered from
malnutrition between 1992 and 1997.
1.2.2 Infrastructure
The development of infrastructural facilities is critical to the economic development of a country.
With the exception of air transport services, infrastructural facilities in Ethiopia remain grossly
underdeveloped, even in comparison with sub-Saharan African countries.
With regard to roads, according to African Development Indicators of the World Bank, the road:
population ratio of Ethiopia is 0.5 or 500 km per 1 million persons. That is less than 1 quarter of the
2.2 ratio quoted for sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa. In order to improve the road
infrastructure, Ethiopia’s 10-year Road Sector Development Program envisages the construction and
upgrading of a total of 15,600 km of new and existing roads starting in 1996.
With per capita consumption of electric power at 26 kilowatt-hours in 1996, Ethiopia appears to have
one of the least-developed systems of power generation in sub-Saharan Africa. About 90 per cent of
the total installed electric generation capacity of the country is derived from hydropower.
Regarding telecommunication facilities, Ethiopia had 3.3 connected telephone lines per 1,000 persons
by the end of 1998, according to the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation. The rate in sub-
Saharan African countries was 5 connected lines per 1,000 persons from 1994 to 1996. Total number
of Internet connections is under 3,000, one of the lowest in Africa south of the Sahara.
1.2.3 Agriculture
The Ethiopian economy is dominated by smallholder subsistence agriculture, which accounts for 46
per cent of GDP and 85 per cent of employment. Almost the entire sector depends on rainfall. Only
63,170 ha (0.7 per cent) of the total cultivated area of 8.92 million ha under smallholder agriculture
was under traditional irrigation in 1998/99. The major crops cultivated are cereals (75.6 per cent),
pulses (9.8 per cent), permanent crops (7.6 per cent), and oilseeds (4.2 per cent). Of the total area
under traditional irrigation, cereals and permanent crops cover 47.7 per cent and 33.8 per cent,
respectively.
According to the Water and Power Consultancy Service (WAPCOS), Ethiopia could potentially
develop irrigation over 3.73 million ha of farmlands. Nevertheless, the total area to date under
irrigation is estimated to be about 160,000 ha, including the area under traditional irrigation. Irrigated
agriculture has realized only 4.3 per cent of its estimated potential. In terms of output, irrigated
agriculture accounts for approximately 3 per cent of total food crop production. Yet, Ethiopia, faced
with rising population pressure, has remained a food-deficit country since the 1970s. In 1999/2000,
for example, Ethiopia imported over 800,000 tonnes of grain in the form of food aid. If the country is
to achieve its stated aims of food self-sufficiency and food security, the current production shortfalls
call for drastic measures to improve productivity of irrigated and rain-fed agriculture.
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Ethiopia’s various resource potentials have been identified and described in different master plans for
integrated development of major river basins. The preliminary water-resources master plan study
completed by WAPCOS has identified Ethiopia’s general irrigation potential.
Source: Compiled from various river-basin master-plan studies and river-basin surveys
With regard to groundwater resources, the true potential of the country is not known. However, it is
widely reported that Ethiopia possesses a groundwater potential of approximately 2.6 billion m³. Not
only are the yield levels of water wells too low (less than 5 liters per second) but wells are generally
too deep to justify economic exploitation of groundwater resources for irrigation purposes in Ethiopia.
The gross hydropower generation potential of the country is estimated to be 650 TWh per year of
which 25 per cent can be exploited for power. That is about 100 times the existing installed capacity.
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The transportation potential of Ethiopian waterways and water bodies has not been fully exploited for
economic development. The socio-economic impact of water transport at the regional or local level
may be significant in areas where road transport is difficult. The income to be generated especially
from tourism is not negligible, if modern and efficient transport systems are organized. Some rivers,
for example the Baro-Akobo, are navigable. The Baro River is a good case in point: the Gambella
Regional Government has undertaken the Baro River Transportation Study. Lake Tana is the water
body used for transportation purposes between Bahir Dar and several islands as far as Gorgora.
Despite such vast arable-land resources, only 14.8 per cent of the country’s total landmass is being
utilized for crop cultivation. Only 16.6 million ha of land is being cropped, constituting just 30 per
cent of the arable potential. The remaining 70 per cent of the potential is used in other ways,
particularly grazing.
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Chapter 2
Overview of the Water Sector
This Chapter presents main characteristics of various subsectors: irrigation, water supply and
sewerage, and hydropower. In some cases, regional reviews are also made to highlight conditions
pertaining to specific regions--but are important from national perspective as well. The review draws
heavily from the Sector Review Report produced by the Consultants in 2001. In addition, numerous
other documents were consulted which are listed among the references at the end of this report.
Observations made during the field visits to the regions further contributed in enriching the review
presented herein. A more detailed analysis about each subsector could be found in Chapters 5-9.
2.1 Irrigation
Irrigated farmlands countrywide in 1991 comprised some 64,000 ha under small-scale schemes and
112,105 ha under medium- and large-scale schemes. MoWR reports that the total area under irrigation
increased from 176,105 ha in 1991 to 197,250 ha in 1998. Most of that increase, a total of about
21,145 ha of modern small-scale irrigation schemes, stemmed from growth in small-scale irrigation in
the various regions. Little or no development occurred in medium- and large-scale irrigation during
that period. Irrigation coverage has not grown significantly since then.
On a per capita basis, Ethiopia has developed irrigation over an area of a mere 0.3 ha per 100 people,
vis-à-vis its potential of about 4.0 ha per 100 people. Despite the vast potential, irrigation
infrastructure has remained underdeveloped while Ethiopia has endured persistent drought and
famine.
There are 4 categories of irrigation schemes countrywide. They include traditional schemes, modern
communal schemes, public schemes, and private commercial schemes and are described in this report
in chapter 5 on the irrigation subsector.
During 1995–1997 the WSSS developed 8 springs and drilled 13 wells. Together the springs and the
wells produced an average of 10,000 m3 of water per day for the city.
The Dire Dam project on the Dire River was to create a reservoir with a capacity of 19 million m3 so
that about 42,000 m3 per day could be released to Legedadi. As the result of the completion of the
dam, Legedadi water production has increased by 20 per cent.
The other water supply project for Addis Ababa is the Akaki Emergency Groundwater Development
Project. Of 25 wells that have been drilled under this project, 11 wells have been developed and the
rest of the project has almost been completed.
More that 40 per cent of water produced is lost or wasted by leakage and other ways in the city. To
tackle the problem, a leakage study was conducted on treatment plants, service reservoirs, distribution
systems, water meters, and other processing points to assess the wastage and find a solution. As a
result, old pipes are being changed and others are being properly maintained.
WSSS is currently undertaking Water III Project, sewerage projects, and capacity-building projects,
along with its normal water service activities to the city.
Before the creation of the Afar Regional State, according to reports received from Afar, water supply
services of some kind were provided to the people in 9 towns in Zone 1 and Zone 3: the towns of
Awash Sebat-Kilo, Awash Arba, Melka Warer, Melke Sedi, Gewane, Mille, Dubti, and Assaita. The
services were inadequate, so some people used to fetch water from rivers and ponds.
People living in most parts of the region were getting their drinking water by paying from 500 to 800
Birr per truckload of water hauled from Assab and Logia. In areas where there were no nearby rivers,
people used to travel 15 to 20 km for water for human and livestock consumption.
After the formation of the Regional Administration, the Water Development Bureau in Afar, with
assistance from neighboring Regional Administrations of Tigrai, Amhara, and others, and numerous
local, national, and international groups, have built and rehabilitated some 125 local water systems.
Before 1995 the urban water supply coverage in the Region was 80 per cent. By 2000 urban services
had reached 1,151,288, raising the coverage from 80 to 96 per cent.
The construction of Bahir Dar and Gondar water-supply projects has almost been completed. In
addition, completion of water-supply projects to 9 towns being financed with Japanese assistance and,
5 towns financed by the International Development Association (IDA), and the rehabilitation efforts
of the Sectoral Water Supply Project, will improve the urban water-supply situation in those areas.
Assosa, Bambasi, and Almu are the 3 main towns in Benishangul-Gumuz Region. According to the
1994 population census, 63.8 per cent of the population of Assosa had access to potable water.
Bambasi town could supply 17.9 per cent of the population with water from protected wells or
springs, 32.6 per cent from unprotected wells or springs, and 9 per cent from rivers. The water-supply
coverage in Almu was much greater, at 98.7 per cent.
Water sources in rural areas of the Region are springs and shallow wells. Metekel, Assosa, and
Kamashi Zones could supply water to 23 per cent, 47 per cent, and 16.26 per cent of the population,
respectively. The Regional Water Bureau and CISP, a non-governmental organization (NGO), could
alleviate the situation somewhat by installing hand pumps.
Established in 1995, the Region’s Water Development Bureau has dug 60 wells, developed 26
springs, and drilled 8 shallow wells and 6 deep wells. Water supply coverage has thus improved from
12 per cent in 1995 to 27 per cent in 2000.
The Region’s water sources are hand-dug wells, deep wells, springs, ponds, and rivers. For woreda
and Zonal towns, water is provided from 10 deep-drilled wells and 2 developed springs. The urban
water supply currently reaches 58 per cent of the population. Water supply coverage for the whole
region is about 23 per cent.
Large-scale resettlement projects in the past have constructed rural water-supply schemes in the
Region. In the woreda of Gog, Abobo, and Gabella, about 93 boreholes and hand-dug wells were
sunk during the resettlement period. They accounted for 39.1 per cent of all the 238 schemes in the
Region. Of the remaining 145 schemes, 18.5 per cent were installed by the Water Bureau, 10.9 per
cent by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 3.3 per cent by Mekaneyesus, 7.5 per cent by
the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), 5.0 per cent by the Red Cross Society
of Ethiopia, and 15.5 per cent by the Ethiopian Society for Reconstruction and Development
(ESRDF). To demonstrate cattle-watering practices in the Region, 20 cattle troughs were built.
Harari was also included in a study of water supply and sanitation for 12 towns by the Gibbs
consulting firm in November 1995. The Gibbs study looked at options for Harari town, Alemaya
town, Bati village where the university is located, and the villages of Awedaiy and Hamaressa. The
water source was to be the Maya Gudo and Errer rivers.
The groundwater investigations in the Dire Dawa area suggest potential for large-scale development.
The well field at Dire Jara is located about 22 km North West of Dire Dawa town. The water source at
Dire Jara well field is believed to be adequate up to the 2012 water requirement. For the second phase,
to 2022, the well field at Hursso, 27 km west of Dire Dawa, could be used.
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A decade ago, the town’s potable water supply was accessible by fewer than 20 per cent of the rural
population and 98 per cent of the urban. Currently, urban coverage is 67 per cent.
The 5-year plan had envisaged construction of water-supply projects for 26 towns, rehabilitation and
extension works for 5 towns, feasibility study and detailed design for 8 towns, pre-feasibility studies
for 20 towns, and 1,788 operation and maintenance projects. By the end of the plan period, water
supply works for 6 towns had been constructed, study and design completed for 1 town, rehabilitation
and extension works completed for 5 towns, and pre-feasibility studies executed for 7 towns.
Jijiga town has a critical water-supply problem. A few wells were drilled with assistance from
UNICEF. The town is attempting to upgrade performance of its water-related administration and
management activities. In the areas where a Livestock Herders’ Association has been formed,
construction of birka and ponds have been planned. Most rural water systems are supervised by water
committees, which have had no training in water systems management.
For the Region as a whole, the plan envisaged coverage of 42 per cent. By the end of the plan period,
coverage had been raised to 34 per cent. During the past 3 years, water-supply construction works
have been completed for Axum, Adwa, and Mekele towns.
WMEB has planned to drill, on average, 224 shallow wells and 16 deep wells per year. The annual
results have been reported as 124 shallow wells and 13 deep wells, yielding an implementation rate of
55 per cent for shallow wells and 81 per cent for the deep wells. Subsequent reports have disclosed
that 20 to 50 per cent of the shallow-drilled wells have become unproductive. By 1999, there were
1,800 hand-dug wells, shallow-drilled wells, deep-drilled wells, and developed springs that supply
potable water to the Region.
The reasons for the low implementation rate are reported as shortage of skilled manpower, inadequate
and unreliable data and information, and planning of unrealistically high targets.
Traditional energy resources such as fuelwood, dung, crop-residues, and human and animal power are
estimated to generate 95 per cent of the energy actually consumed. Electricity and oil products supply
the remaining 5 per cent. The electricity supply is generated domestically, with hydroelectricity
accounting for over 90 per cent of supply. Oil is imported in the form of refined products.
Annual energy consumption is about 25 kWh per capita for electricity, 16 kgoe (kilograms of oil
equivalent) per capita for petroleum, and 276 kgoe per capita for other sources, mainly of biomass
origin. Per capita electricity consumption is among the lowest in the world, while petroleum
consumption is much below the world average of about 600 kg per capita per annum.
The major consumer of the energy is the household sector, which accounts for 82 per cent of the total
energy supplied. The transport sector utilizes more than 70 per cent of the imported oil, while
agriculture consumes only 3 per cent.
The import of petroleum products is a major drain on export earnings. Net import of fuels to Ethiopia
amounted to 54 per cent of export earnings in 1992/93, but declined to about 22 per cent of export
earnings in 1995. Improvements in revenues from coffee exports accounted for that positive
development. The corresponding figure for 1996/97 stands at about 34 per cent.
An estimated 13 per cent of the population can access electricity — not necessarily from direct
services, but from nearby low-voltage infrastructure. Even then, supply is deliberately constrained in
the diesel centers in order to save on fuel and maintenance costs. A rough assessment in 1992
indicated that 9 per cent of the population had access to hydroelectricity, while only 1 per cent had
access to diesel-generated electricity. The same assessment indicated that 13 towns with populations
exceeding 10,000 and another group of 80 towns with populations of 5,000 to 10,000 were awaiting
electrification. Basically the same situation prevails today.
Access to public electricity supply, in terms of percentage of population with access to a low-voltage
supply, has been growing steadily but slowly. The rate of electrification must stay ahead of the
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population growth rate in order to register any growth in access to electricity. That has not been easy
in a country whose population grows at about 3 per cent annually.
The WAPCOS study considered water regulation options that require dam/diversion weir lengths of
less than 750 meters and dam heights below 120 meters in establishing “technical” or “economic”
potential. The installed capacity, corresponding to 145,000 GWh/year output at an average plant
utilization factor of 0.6, would be about 27,000 MW.
The “economic” hydroelectric potential is therefore nearly 100 times the present demand for
electricity. Hydroelectric energy development is patently sustainable in Ethiopia. The potential dwarfs
the installed capacity in the interconnected system (ICS) of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation
(EEPCo).
ICS peak loads were 285 MW in 1995 and 318 MW in 1999. Annual per capita production of
electricity is among the lowest in the world and low even by regional standards. Per capita generation
in 1996 in Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan, and Kenya was 26, 40, 50, and 150 kWh, respectively.
The supply system itself is currently capacity-constrained, with hydroelectric generation capacity hard
put to meet demand in terms of peak power and annual energy output. The situation is exacerbated by
low rainfall. Reservoir siltation in older plants has reduced storage capacity, thereby accentuating
spillage requirements in flood situations and water shortage in dry years.
The WAPCOS hydropower studies referred to earlier considered plant capacities ranging from 600
kW to 1,569 MW in various basins. The lower-capacity ranges are shown mostly for the Abbay and
Awash basins, which are relatively well known and better assessed. In comparison, sites in the Omo
and Genale basins evidently have higher generation potential. It is quite likely that the small-scale
hydro potential of Ethiopia is much higher than that indicated in the WAPCOS studies.
CESEN studies actually put the small-hydro, run-of-river-scheme potential at about 5 TWh/year (i.e.,
about 1,400 MW at 0.4 plant factor) but aver that a fuller assessment is required to establish a correct
estimate. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also studied small-scale hydro
plants in Ethiopia. So far about 9 sites have been studied to feasibility level by EEPCo with UNDP
assistance. Studies of smaller-capacity plants (of less than 0.5 MW each) were also conducted in the
1980s by a Chinese team of experts working with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Currently 4 small-scale hydro plants (< 10 MW) are part of the ICS. Individual plant capacities range
from 116 to 5,000 kW. In 1999 those 4 plants produced a total of about 13 GWh. They constitute 1
third of the total number of small-hydro plants built by EEPCo since the 1950s.
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Small-scale hydro schemes lack the advantages of scale — their cost per installed capacity and
production cost per kWh of electricity is generally higher than those of larger-scale plants. For
example, at Sor, Yadot, and Dembi small-hydro plants, the cost per kW is about US$ 4,000 and cost
per kWh is about US$ 0.06. That is high in comparison with US$ 2,000/kW and US$ 0.05/kWh, the
prevailing costs at the time of construction of those plants, for larger hydro schemes in Ethiopia.)
Amhara Region. Previous studies on small-scale hydropower development in the Region were
compiled and assessed during the 1988–1992 Ethiopian Fiscal Year (EFY) plan period. Subsequently,
the Region compiled a project document for the study of 2 selected sites for small-hydro
development. The project document was sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and
Cooperation (MEDaC) to request donor financing. In the 1993–1997 EFY period the Region planned
to undertake small-hydro development studies on 16 sites by mobilizing finance from various donors.
Oromiya Region. In the 1988–1992 EFY period, the Region planned numerous studies of small-scale
hydro sites, including reconnaissance surveys of 52 sites, pre-feasibility studies of 13 sites, and
feasibility studies of 7 sites.
The Region’s strategy in small-scale hydropower development is to conduct studies and make the
study results available to private investors and NGOs for implementation and/or site development.
The goal for the 1993–1997 EFY plan period was to construct mini-hydro plants at 7 sites, conduct
pre-feasibility studies of 15 sites and feasibility and detailed studies at 10 sites, and establish 1
training center on hydropower plant technology for the Region.
SNNP Region. With an emphasis on small-scale hydropower, the Region conducted reconnaissance
studies at 39 sites during the 1988–1992 EFY plan period. The 39 sites included 6 in Sidama Zone, 8
in North Omo Zone, 3 in Gurage Zone, 10 in Keffa Sheka Zone, and 12 in Bench Maji Zone. For the
1993–1997 EFY period, the Region planned various studies on 24 sites.
Gambella Region. The Region’s plan for 1993–1997 EFY was to conduct a master-plan study in the
energy sector, including small-scale hydropower development, and create a conducive environment
for private-sector investment for implementing projects in the master plan.
Absence of a coherent development policy, strategy, and program, until very recently.
Low level of infrastructural development that would allow easy access to inputs and outputs.
Lack of data and information required for efficient sector planning and management.
Chapter 3
Rationale and Background
3.1 Water-environment-poverty nexus
Water is a precious natural resource — vital for life, national development, and the environment. In
too great a quantity or too little, it can bring destruction, misery, or death. Irrespective of how it
occurs, if properly managed, it can be an instrument for economic survival and growth. It can be an
instrument to help reduce poverty, lift people out of the degradation of not having enough for their
household needs and their livestock. However, when inadequate in quantity and quality, it can limit
poverty reduction and national development, resulting in poor health and low productivity, food
insecurity, and constrained economic development. When its quality is not protected, it can pose
serious environmental health risks and adversely affect agricultural and livestock production.
The linkages between water-development initiatives and the initiatives in the agriculture, food,
energy, health, education and decentralized-governance sectors must be clearly understood and
carefully managed, in order to benefit from the inherent synergies and to minimize or avoid negative
cross-sectoral impacts. In Ethiopia, like anywhere else, the poor are the most vulnerable and
frequently the first victims, since they rely essentially on land and water resources to sustain their
livelihoods. The productivity of water in agriculture remains low, hampering efforts at income
generation, economic growth and sustainable development. The water scarcity effects the women and
girls most who have to walk farther in search of minimal household needs.
When water resources are harnessed to promote irrigation and hydropower production without
sufficient safeguards for likely negative social and environmental consequences, the short-run
advantages such as spurred economic growth could easily be eclipsed in the medium and long term by
negative impacts. Such impacts might include social unrest, health problems associated with water-
borne diseases, or diminished soil productivity because of salinity within irrigated land. As a resource
to meet basic human and livestock needs, water is vulnerable to pollution resulting from persistent
organic polluters from farming, industrial and household wastes, and chemical residues from tanning
and mining processes. Heavily polluted water adversely affects aquatic life with direct and indirect
negative consequences for both environmental and human health as well as water-resource related
agricultural trade.
What we get out of water, therefore, depends largely on what we put into it in terms of management
and use. Unless a sustainable use and management regime is in place, the water resource could easily
become so degraded that human, livestock and environmental health are at risk. Thus the basis for
sustainable development could also be compromised.
entitlement to alternative means of compensation, including relocation with adequate State assistance
in the event of displacement or livelihoods insecurity resulting from development programs. The
enabling legislation for the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) elaborates this constitutional
provision by enjoining the EPA to “ensure that all matters pertaining to the country’s social and
economic development activities are carried out in a manner that will protect the welfare of human
beings as well as sustainably protect, develop and utilize the resource bases on which they depend for
survival.”
That perspective on environmental rights is enriched by the Environment Policy of Ethiopia, linking it
with peace as part of a people-centered and environmentally sustainable development. The policy
affirms the need to ensure sustainable use and management of environmental resources and the wise
use of non-renewable resources. It advises stakeholders to be as cautious as possible in balancing the
trade-off between short-term economic growth and long-term environmental protection. It
underscores the need to correct for market failures, to ensure social equity in the use of environmental
resources. It further advises that regular and accurate assessment and monitoring of environmental
conditions be conducted and the public be duly informed of the outcome. On the investment side, the
environmental rights are safeguarded by a legal requirement that enjoins the Investment Authority to
ensure that the intended investment activity particularly complies with conditions in the environment
protection laws.
The Water Resources Management Policy reinforces the elements of prosperity, harmony, and
environmental health in the policy’s fundamental principle--that water is a commonly owned
economic and social good that should be as accessible to all in sufficient quantity and quality to meet
basic human needs. Additionally, the principles emphasize the need for a rural-centered,
decentralized, integrated, and participatory water management system as well as the attainment of
social equity, economic efficiency, empowerment of water users and sustainability. This is reflected
in the overarching “vision” and policy orientation of the national water policy whose objective is: to
enhance and promote all national efforts towards the efficient, equitable, and optimum utilization of
the available water resources of Ethiopia for significant socio-economic development on a
sustainable basis.
It is in this context that both the water policy and water strategy underscore the importance of:
applying the “subsidiarity” principle to ensure that water management is at the lowest and
most efficient institutional level.
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One of the sectoral policies is the Water Resources Management Policy, which is based on socio-
economic and environmental development policies as stipulated in the Constitution. The objectives of
the policy are:
Development of the water resources of the country for economic and social benefits of the
people, on an equitable and sustainable basis
Allocation and apportionment of water, based on the comprehensive and integrated plans and
optimum allocation principles that incorporate efficiency of use, equity of access, and
sustainability of the resources
Managing and combating drought as well as other associated slow-onset of disasters through
efficient allocation, redistribution, transfer, storage and efficient use of water resources
Conserving, protecting and enhancing water resources and the general aquatic environment on
sustainable basis.
The Government of Ethiopia has approached the formulation of the WSDP within an integrated policy
and strategic framework. As water is multidimensional in nature, linkages with other sectoral policies
and strategies have become inevitable, such as Disaster Prevention and Management, Energy, Health,
and Conservation policies and strategies which have been prepared and put in place since 1993. In
addition there is a legislative framework to support these policies and strategies. More specifically,
the principles put forward by the Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy are explicitly linked
to a broader policy framework at Regional and Federal levels. Similarly, the water policy has given
rise directly to the National Water Strategy that in turn forms the basis for the development of WSDP.
It is crucial that these linkages between the various levels of policy and planning are explicit.
WSDP is the instrument for implementing the water resources management policy. It follows the
already identified and accepted strategy for water-resources management in the country. It identifies
priority intervention areas in a 15-year time horizon and includes priority projects identified through
various sources. Major list of projects came from river-basin master plans, where resource potentials
and their priority areas for long-term (30–50 years) interventions are identified on the basis of
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individual river basins. The WSDP, therefore, provides a fertile ground for the development of
individual projects within its priority intervention areas.
Figure 3-1
Linkages between water-resources management, policy,
strategy, and legislation
Economic Development
(PRSP)
Water Resources
Management Policy
River Basin
Water Strategy Master Plans
Water
WSDP
Projects identified
Individual from Other Sources
National environmental policies and strategies
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Implementation strategy
The approach used in the development of these programs was basically the same. All reviewed their
respective sector in relation to its status and historical development. They treated their programs as
means to translate the respective policy into action. In the process of developing their sectoral
program, they undertook continuous consultations with the major stakeholders. In the health and
education sector they established a joint steering committee. In that committee the ministers of health
and education as well as major donors in the sectors were represented. Such an arrangement helped to
streamline activities pertinent to both sectors. The sectoral program envisaged sharing implementation
and costs between the Federal and Regional Governments, users (communities and private sector),
and external donors.
In the case of the Road Sector Development Program (RSDP), proceedings of the joint Government/
donors’ conference emphasized the importance of following issues: (a) implementation capacity; (b)
the speed of implementation vis-à-vis establishing the required capacity; (c) involvement of primary
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stakeholders; (d) private sector involvement in practical implementation; (e) establishing dedicated
funding (like the Road Fund); and (f) institutional restructuring to facilitate program implementation.
The WSDP has attempted to address all of the above issues in the current program formulation phase.
Review of the Education Sector Development Program (ESDP) suggests both positive and negative
aspects. The positive aspects include: (a) strong ownership and commitment by the Federal
Government; (b) involvement of Regional administrations; and (c) a spirit of partnership between the
Government and participating agencies. The WSDP shares those 3 positive attributes with the ESDP.
There are however some unresolved issues in the ESDP. There is a lack of policy dialogue between
the Government and donors, as well as its implementation suffers from differences in donors’
requirements and actual implementation arrangements. The issue of differences in donor requirements
would equally apply for the WSDP. Again, dialogue and joint donor–recipient forums during the
implementation phase could help solve the problem.
The Health Sector Development Program (HSDP) mid-term review (conducted in February 2001)
raised operational problems that are not rooted in the program formulation process or in the broader
framework of program implementation strategy. The review recommendations, nevertheless,
underline the importance of continued monitoring of implementation problems and timely solutions.
In particular, the following recommendations contained in the HSDP mid-term review report indicate
some of the critical aspects of co-ordination and monitoring that are believed to influence the HSDP
implementation.
Improve the co-ordination between water supply, sanitation, hygiene promotion and
information, education, and communication practices, because all those services fall under the
responsibility of different institutions. The point would be to avoid duplication of efforts and
wastage of meager resources.
Improved co-ordination between the donors, Ministry of Health, Regional Health Bureaus,
and the Ministry of Finance is necessary to ensure timely and accurate disclosure on
availability, flow, and disbursement of donor funds, so that non-treasury resources are fully
included in budgets and that expenditures are properly accounted for.
Based on the review of the formulation process and implementation status of three sector
development programs, the preparation of WSDP has attempted to align itself in line with the
following considerations. The WSDP implementation strategy that is presented in this document also
benefits from the lessons learned.
Strong coordination and implementation arrangements are required at the Federal, Regional,
and local levels. The need for intersectoral implementation and coordination arrangements,
involving different ministries, as well as the private sector, international development and
financing institutions, and NGOs is likewise very important.
WSDP must pace itself according to the implementation capacity of the executing institutions
as well as the availability of funds in time and amount.
Resource mobilization from various sources is the most critical aspect of implementing the
program. Therefore, publicizing, promoting and seeking funds has to be started well in
advance of program implementation and has to be a regular and continuous activity thereafter.
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Prioritizing the programs and projects--in the context of an investment strategy--is especially
important in the case of limited financial resources.
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Chapter 4
Methodological Approach
Preparation of the WSDP started, inter-alia, with the development of a methodological framework.
This framework was discussed in a workshop that involved almost all the concerned stakeholders
(institutions and individuals). The workshop resulted in a document to which the participants agreed
to use as a step-by-step guide in preparing the WSDP. The document described a set of procedures to
prepare the WSDP, as well as the physical targets to be achieved in various subsectors. However, as it
would become clear in the subsequent Chapters, this methodological framework has provided broad
guidelines for the preparation of each subsectoral program but has not served as a blueprint in every
instance. Adjustments had to be made where data have not been consistently available across
subsectors or where the nature of the program has dictated otherwise.
At the start of the process, the WWDSE prepared an inception report and presented it to RTCs for
discussion and getting started. A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed to the regions to obtain
basic data and information. The results of that survey, together with the consultants’ assessments,
contributed to the finalization of sector review report and helped in identifying regional priorities and
preferences. Reviews of the National Economic Development Policy and Strategy as well as the
Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy helped to ensure that WSDP was aligned with them.
Development programs in other sectors (education, health, and road transport) were consulted for
their relevant experience.
The consultative process at the regional and local levels was steered by the RTCs and, in this regard, a
number of regional meetings or workshops were organized in each region. The staff of the MoWR,
UNDP and WWDSE also attended many of these regional level meetings. At the national level, the
consultative process consisted of two major workshops to review and comment on various outputs,
namely: the methodological framework and the draft WSDP. Almost all stakeholders from the
regions, Federal institutions, private sector, and international agencies participated in these workshops
and contributed to the final results embodied in this report. In summary what makes WSDP unique as
compared to the other sector development programs is that it is based on an elaborated consultative
process reflecting inputs ranging from international donors agencies to local level communities.
The MoWR as lead owner of the program provided technical guidance at all stages of the program
preparation both to the regions as well as to the consultants engaged to execute this work. In view of
the limited technical capacities of the regions, the UNDP provided technical assistance to the RTCs
through a team of national consultants in defining and elaborating their water sector priorities, while
UN DESA provided overall technical guidance and backstopping to ensure that project outputs meet
quality standards.
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Sources of ProgramFinancing
Sources of ProgramFinancing
- Government sources
- Government sources
- Loans (multilateral agencies)
- Loans (multilateral agencies)
- Grants (bilateral agencies)
- Grants (bilateral agencies) Monitoring Mechanisms
- Private sector Investment Schedule by: Monitoring Mechanisms
- Private sector Investment Schedule by: - Development of benchmarks
- NGOs contributions Federal projects/programs - Development of benchmarks
- NGOs contributions Federal projects/programs - Reporting mechanisms
- Community based contributions Projects/programs by regions - Reporting mechanisms
- Community based contributions Projects/programs by regions - Levels of reviews
Projects/programs by subsectors - Levels of reviews
Projects/programs by subsectors
The main principles that form the basis for development of the WSDP are derived from national water
management policy. Those principles hold that the WSDP and its component programs and projects
should:
Align consistently with the national economic development strategies and socio-economic
development goals.
Use the “basin” as a conceptual unit in planning for development and management of water
resources.
The plan for the short-term is presented in greater detail than those for the medium- and long-terms,
because the short-term horizon coincides with those of existing Federal and Regional plans and has
well-defined physical targets and budgetary requirements. The medium-term plan carries some
projects from the short-term so it is comparatively better defined than the last 5-year term. The long-
term plan is, for the time being, indicative and serves to outline the guiding vision for sectoral
development.
Make water available for livestock in nomadic and other special areas.
Provide water for fisheries, tourism, and transportation, among other uses.
Within the above perspective, highest priority is given to those programs and projects that:
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Are ongoing (with implementation expected to continue during the plan period) and for which
most of the required investments are in place; and those in which efficiency in
implementation could be significantly improved with little additional investment.
Have been discontinued for various reasons (but still remain economically feasible).
Have already been subject to appraisal and evaluation through feasibility studies and designs,
and recommended for implementation (although the feasibility study and design may require
updating).
Have been identified in master-plan studies or recommended for backward or less developed
areas, where there is a large population at risk as a result of drought and environmental
concerns.
Are small with short gestation periods, but will: (a) strengthen subsistence farming and
provide social benefits directly (such as improved health conditions, employment
opportunities, and income generation); and (b) enable women to participate as owners and
operators.
Form part of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program
(ENSAP).
(b) All projects already defined in the current national and regional 5-year development plans.
(d) Projects identified for those areas and regions not covered by the basin master-plan studies.
(Such projects have been recommended by the regions during consultations and identified on
the basis of the experience in conducting the comprehensive sector review.)
Foreign costs. Foreign components of the project cost were updated by taking into account the US
dollar inflation rate in the price escalation of imported goods. A rate of 3 per cent per year was
considered generally accurate. It was tested for accuracy in comparison with recent project appraisal
studies and found to be consistent.
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Year GDP constant price GDP current price GDP deflator index
1980/1981 -- -- 100.00
1985/1986 9,557 13,575 142.04
1986/1987 10,949 14,391 131.44
1987/1988 10,948 14,971 136.75
1988/1989 10,986 15,742 143.29
1989/1990 11,433 16,826 147.17
1990/1991 10,938 19,195 175.49
1991/1992 10,535 20,792 197.36
1992/1993 11,799 26,671 226.04
1993/1994 11,910 28,328 237.85
1994/1995 12,644 31,434 248.61
1995/1996 13,987 35,093 250.90
1996/1997 14,714 38,189 259.54
1997/1998 14,513 41,358 284.97
1998/1999 15,413 45,023 292.11
1999/2000 16,218 50,775 313.08
Criteria Measure
Economic Net present value; cost/benefit; internal rate of return;
Level of development Per capita income
Social equity Level of poverty
Environmental Available parameter
Financial Unit production cost; operations and maintenance cost
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Finally, it should be noted that not all WSDP projects were evaluated and ranked using the above
methodology. It was just not possible because of data limitations and other factors guiding the
development of different subsectors. In other words, this framework was used for projects if data on
required parameters were available, as was the case with many of the large- and medium-scale
irrigation projects. Water supply and sewerage services, small-scale irrigation, basic water-resources
assessment, and capacity-improvement programs were selected for WSDP on the basis of regional
needs and targets agreed as a result of the consultative process.
Selected irrigation projects are to be implemented both at Federal and Regional levels. All small-scale
and some medium-scale irrigation development projects are to be implemented at Regional level,
while some medium-scale and all large-scale work is executed at Federal level.
Hydropower projects are also implemented both at Federal and Regional levels. Medium- and large-
scale hydropower works are the responsibility of the Federal Government, while implementation of
small-scale hydropower projects will be the responsibility of the Regional Governments.
Water supply and sanitation work in its entirety is going to be executed regionally. The subsectoral
program has elaborated plans for each region for the whole WSDP planning horizon.
SECTION II
Chapter 5
Water Supply and Sewerage Development Program
While water is universally acknowledged to be a basic need in sustaining life, only a minority of
Ethiopians has an access to potable water. Urban areas receive better service than rural. About 65 per
cent of urban areas (excluding Addis Ababa) are covered, while only 15 per cent of rural areas receive
water supplies. Sewerage is provided to a very limited extent. The need for planning and
implementing the Water Supply and Sewerage Development Program (WSSDP) is self-evident.
5.1 Goals
WSSDP aims to enhance the well-being and productivity of Ethiopians by providing them, to the
greatest possible extent, with a clean, adequate, and reliable water supply and sewerage services; and
to meet their needs for livestock, industry, and other uses as well. Accordingly, the WSSDP will make
an important contribution towards achieving the Millenium Declaration Goal of halving the people,
by 2015, who do not have access to sustainable safe drinking water.
(a) Provide potable water to most of both the urban and rural population, and water for sewerage
where conditions permit.
(b) Provide water for livestock, particularly in critical areas such as nomadic regions and drought-
prone areas.
(d) Operate and maintain water supply and sewerage services on an efficient and sustainable
basis, with effective management.
(e) Ensure protection and conservation of resources and control pollution and wastage, as part of
management policy.
(f) Ensure sustainable resource development through development of human resources at all
levels, legislation and the regulatory framework, and other appropriate means of capacity
building.
Specific program targets were established and activities and projects were identified to achieve those
planned targets. The standard methodology established for the entire WSDP was used in formulating
the WSSDP: planning, target setting, identifying and screening, and evaluating and ranking the
various projects and activities, with necessary adjustments as elaborated below. The interests of all
stakeholders were considered in elaborating interventions proposed under the WSSDP.
5.2.1 Planning
The primary approach in planning and developing urban water-supply systems and rural water-supply
facilities is to portray the system requirements in the short, medium, and long terms in order to
facilitate preparation of cost estimates and investment requirements. For estimating purposes, the
main components of urban and rural systems have been “dimensioned” at a level that permits costing
in sufficient detail. Since the physical and financial requirements are different for urban and rural
systems, so they were differentiated at this stage.
In planning and setting WSSDP targets, program efforts are expected to be able to provide drinking
water to practically the entire urban population in almost every region by 2016. Rural coverage is
expected to be extended as program capacity improves, during the stages of WSSDP implementation.
Urban sewerage coverage is expected to be extended by approximately 3.5 per cent annually, in order
to achieve the target of 60-per cent coverage of the population by 2016. These contributions will go
much beyond the achievement of the relevant Millenium Declaration Goal.
(a) CSA population projections, based on the Population and Housing Census of 1994, provides
a reasonable basis for estimating urban and rural water demand.
(b) Water requirements for livestock are projected on the basis of projected livestock numbers
and water requirements per livestock unit. In the highlands, both domestic and livestock water
supplies are considered together. In the lowlands, particularly the nomadic regions, where the
sources of water were ponds, separate arrangements for domestic and livestock were made.
(c) The industries are assumed to provide their own water. Where it was not possible, industrial
water supply requirements were incorporated in the domestic supply.
(d) Where conditions permitted, springs and wells were considered to be the sources of water for
both urban and rural supply in order to avoid need for water treatment.
The above general assumptions branched off to several secondary but specific assumptions, providing
additional insights as how water demands for different uses were estimated. These assumptions are
discussed in the succeeding section.
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2 Afar 1,243 16.5 205 1,389 32.6 453 1,540 48.8 752 1,695 65.1 1,103
3 Amhara 16,748 30.7 5,136 19,120 43.2 8,266 27,175 55.5 12,045 24,484 67.3 16,476
4 Benishangul 551 20.3 112 625 40.5 253 706 52.5 371 791 64.5 510
Gumuz
5 Dire Dawa 330 59.5 196 398 70.6 281 474 92.0 436 555 97.8 543
6 Gambella 216 17.6 38 247 28.0 69 279 44.2 123 311 53.0 165
7 Harari 166 22.7 38 196 29.5 58 228 78.7 179 265 90.6 240
8 Oromiya 23,023 31.2 7,175 26,553 47.6 12,632 30,410 65.8 20,019 34,476 83.2 28,685
9 Somali 3,797 13.0 464 4,329 23.6 1,023 4,919 40.8 2,006 5,537 56.9 3,151
10 South (SNNPR) 12,903 28.6 3,691 14,902 38.3 5,709 17,035 50.2 8,548 19,247 71.3 13,725
11 Tigray 3,797 34.1 1,296 4,335 52.9 2,293 4,923 72.2 3,557 5,551 92.3 5,122
National 65,344 30.9 20,180 75,067 45.1 33,862 85,647 60.1 51,453 96,795 76.0 73,604
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3 Amharas 1759 96 1689 2195 99 2173 2754 100 2754 3411 100 3411
4 Benishangul 50 43 22 62 63 39 77 73 56 94 83 78
Gumuz
5 Dire Dawa 239 68 163 296 78 231 362 100 362 435 100 435
6 Gambella 37 35 13 47 45 21 59 60 35 71 80 57
8 Oromiya 2782 75 2114 3523 84 2959 4432 100 4432 5520 100 5520
10 South (SNNPR) 1008 83 837 1277 95 1213 1604 100 1604 1991 100 1991
11 Tigray 651 59 384 816 87 710 1019 100 1019 1262 100 1262
12 Urban National 9,886 74.4 7,360 12,172 87.8 10,687 14,942 97.3 14,534 18,159 98.2 17,838
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7 Harari 65 19 12 74 37 27 82 55 45 92 73 67
10 South (SNNPR) 11895 24 2855 13625 33 4496 15431 45 6944 17256 68 11734
12 National Rural 55,458 23.1 12,820 62,895 36.8 23,175 70,705 52.2 36,919 78,636 70.9 55,765
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Open wells are apt to become polluted. They also often run dry during drought periods when
groundwater levels are dropped. Consequently, water must be carried long distances through much of
the year, invariably by the women and children of the household. Improving this extremely low level
of service in rural areas requires an enormous amount of work.
Hand-dug wells with hand pumps are relatively large in diameter. They may be up to 20 to 25 m deep
and covered with concrete lids. Springs can be developed at source or channeled to point of use by
gravity flow. Shallow-drilled wells are not more than 60 m deep and are operated with hand pumps.
Deep-drilled wells are about 100 to 120 m deep and operated with submersible pumps and small
piped systems.
Each type of facility is used by a certain number of users that is assumed to be high initially and to
become lower after some time when they can afford more units. Table 5-4 shows estimated numbers
of users per type of spring- or well-water facility for the three WSSDP plan periods.
Table 5-4. Estimated numbers of users per type of rural water source
Urban water demand was projected by estimating: domestic water demand (for residential units);
commercial and institutional water demand (for commercial and public institutions); and industrial
water demand (for industrial establishments).
Rural areas were defined as those having a population of less than 2,500 in the base year 2001. Rural
water demand was calculated using the derived population projections of selected woreda, and
demand for livestock watering. No allowance was made for commercial, institutional, and industrial
water demand in rural water-demand projections.
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While estimating LWD, relationship with size of population was captured as follows: (a) 60 per cent
of the population in rural communities; (b) 30 per cent of the population of towns with fewer than
10,000 inhabitants; (c) 9 per cent of the population of towns with 10,000 – 50,000 inhabitants; and (d)
1 per cent of the population of towns exceeding 50,000 inhabitants.
The WSSDP consists of projects for urban water supply, rural water supply, livestock water supply,
and sewerage. The projects include mainly hand-dug wells, spring development, shallow-drilled
wells, deep-drilled wells, stock ponds, birka, subsurface dams, water harvesting, conventional
sewerage, pour-flush toilets, septic tanks, and other recommended technologies. Projects activities
consist of study and design, construction, rehabilitation and expansion, and operation and
maintenance. The proposed projects are listed in tables 5-5 through 5-8 for different planning
horizons.
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ST MT LT
No. Region 2002-2006 2007-2001 2012-2016 Total
1 Addis Ababa
Study and Design 2 Projects 1 Project 1 Project 4
Construction 1 Project 1 Project 1 Project 3
Rehabilitation 2 Projects - - 2
2 Afar
Study and Design 16 Towns 15 Towns 19 Towns 50
Construction 17 Towns 13 Towns 6 Towns 36
Rehabilitation & Expansion 7 Towns 4 Towns 10 Towns 21
3 Amhara
Study and Design 36 Towns 43 Towns 5 Towns 84
Construction 28 Towns 53 Towns 6 Towns 87
Rehabilitation & Expansion 5 Towns 3 Towns 2 Towns 10
4 Benishangul-Gumuz
Study and Design 9 Towns 4 Towns 5 Towns 18
Construction 8 Towns 4 Towns 5 Towns 17
Rehabilitation & Expansion
- Towns 8 Towns 8
- Deep Wells 25 Wells 30 Wells 35 Wells 90
- Shallow Wells 10 Wells 10 Wells 10 Wells 30
- Springs 10 Springs 10 Springs 10 Springs 30
- Hand-Dug Wells 25 Wells 25 Wells 25 Wells 75
5 Dire Dawa
Sets of Site Study & Design in DD 1 set 1set 1 set 3
Rehabilitation and Expansion of DD W.S 5 BH 6 BH 2 BH 13
Rehabilitation and Expansion of Melka 1 Town 1
Jebdu W.S
6
Gembella
Study and Design
1 - - 1
- Groundwater Study 5 Towns - - 5
of Selected Area
- Towns of W.S Study - - 7
7 Towns
Construction 4 Towns - - 4
Rehabilitation & Expansion
7 Harari
Study and Design - - 1 1
Construction 1 Town - - 1
8 Oromiya
Study and Design 77 Towns 65 Towns - 142
Construction 46 Towns 109 Towns - 155
Rehabilitation and Expansion 11 Towns 5 Towns 11 Towns 27
9
Somali 10 Towns 8 Towns 2 Towns 20
Study and Design 4 Towns 16 Towns 3 Towns 23
Construction 3 Towns - 3
Rehabilitation and Expansion
10 SNNPR
Study and Design Groundwater Groundwater Groundwater
Study Study Study
39 springs 46 springs 48 springs 133
43 water 41 water 46 water 130
schemes schemes schemes
21 Towns 18 Towns - 39
11
Tigray 9 Towns 14 Towns 3 Towns 26
Study and Design 9 Towns 10 Towns 9 Towns 28
Construction 10 Towns 11 Towns 10 Towns 31
Rehabilitation and Expansion
ST MT LT
No. Region 2002-2006 2007-2001 2012-2016 Total
1 Addis Ababa - - - -
2 Afar
Deep Well Drilling +SP 121 218 313 652
Hand Dug Wells + HP 136 367 547 1050
Spring Development 21 6 -- 27
3 Amhara
Deep Drilled Wells +SP 40 60 69 169
Shallow Drilled Wells +P 440 455 610 1505
Hand Dug Wells + HP 3530 3200 3750 10480
Spring Development 2780 3475 3660 9915
Ponds + Roof Water Harvesting 280 350 450 1080
4 Benishangul-Gumuz
Deep Drilled Wells + SP - 5 5 10
Shallow Drilled Wells+P 100 115 110 325
Hand-dug Wells + HP 200 165 125 490
Spring Development 15 5 10 30
Ponds 5 5 10 20
5 Dire Dawa
Deep Well Construction+SP 1 5 9 15
Shallow Well+P 28 40 40 108
Springs Development 10 5 4 19
Cistern Construction 4 5 3 12
6 Gambella
Deep Wells+Pumps 38 32 37 107
Hand-Dug Wells+HP 52 46 51 149
Springs Development 35 44 48 127
7 Harari
Shallow Wells+Pumps 15 10 15 40
Spring Development 13 10 13 36
Roof Water Harvesting 18 18 17 53
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8 Oromiya
RWS Construction
- Deep Well Conductor+SP 500 650 850 2000
- Shallow Well+P 800 1000 1100 2900
- HDW+HP 2500 3500 3800 9800
- Spring Development 500 800 900 2200
RWS Rehabilitation
- Wells 200 350 600 1150
- Springs 155 120 235 510
- Ponds & Birkas 150 200 250 600
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Table 5-6. Rural water supply projects proposed under WSSDP (continued)
ST MT LT
No. Region 2002-2006 2007-2001 2012-2016 Total
Somali
Deep Well+SP 70 130 170 370
Shallow Well+P 70 110 140 320
HDW+HP 370 340 290 1000
Earth Dam+Sub-Surface Dams 10 15 20 45
River Intakes 15 20 25 60
Spring Development 20 25 25 70
10 SNNPR
Water Well Construction
- Deep Well+Pump 232 300 400 932
- Shallow Wells+Pump 362 629 500 1491
- HDW+HP 509 350 400 1259
- Spring Development 1182 1225 1300 3707
Improvements
- Deep Wells 21 41 70 132
- HDW 60 78 107 245
- Spring Development 48 70 102 220
11 Tigray
Construction of RWS for selected 14 10 10 34
Villages
RWS construction for other rural areas
- Shallow Drilled Wells+Pump 870 840 930 2640
- HDW+HP 910 1000 1200 3110
- Spring Development 350 380 395 1125
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ST MT LT TOTAL
No. Region 2002-2006 2007-2001 2012 – 2016
1 Afar Region
Study and Construction of Stock
Ponds
- Zone I 30 47 50 127
- Zone II 48 75 90 213
- Zone III 12 31 40 83
- Zone IV 30 51 60 141
- Zone V 30 51 60 141
150 255 300 705
Total
2 Gambella
Birkas and Ponds 35 42 49 126
3 Oromiya
Birkas and Ponds 754 925 870 2549
4 Somali Region
Cisterns/Ponds 1040 2200 2300 5540
5 SNNP Region
Construction
- Spring Development 23 8 - 31
- Shallow Wells 87 22 15 124
- Hand-dug Wells 91 21 14 126
- Cattle Trough 156 42 29 227
- Washing basin 18 3 - 21
- Deep wells 5 - - 5
- Pond Construction 5 2 - 7
- Rain water Harvesting 3 - - 3
Rehabilitation
- Deep well 17 - - 17
- Hand-dug well 25 4 - 29
- Pond 20 2 - 22
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ST MT LT TOTAL
Region
No. 2002-2006 2007-2011 2012-2016
1 Addis Ababa (A.A)
AA Sewerage Project
AA Sewerage Project, Component
II
AA Sewerage Project, Section III
2 Afar
Study and Design of US Projects 5 towns
Construction of US Facilities 5 towns 2 towns 3 towns 5 towns
-
3 Amhara
Study and Design of Urban 2 towns 3 towns 2 towns 7 towns
Sanitation
Construction of Urban Sanitation 3 towns 2 towns 6 towns
1 town
4 Benishangul-Gumuz
Study and Design Urban Sanitation 2 lge towns 2 lge towns - 4 lge towns
7 sml towns 8 sml towns 5 sml towns 20 sml towns
Construction of WS Projects - 3 lge towns 1 lge towns 4 lge towns
5 Small T. 6 sml towns 7 sml towns 18 sml towns
5 Dire Dawa
Study and Design of DD Sanitation 1 - - 1 town
Construction of DD Sanitation - 1 - 1 town
System
6 Gambella
Study and Design of US 4 towns - - 4 towns
Construction of System - 2 towns 2 towns 4 towns
7 Harari
Study & Design of Harar
Sanitation 1 - - 1 town
Construction of Harar Sanitation - 1 - 1 town
System
8 Oromiya
Study and Design of Sanitation 2 towns 4 towns 1 town 7 towns
Construction of Sanitation System - 4 towns 3 towns 7 towns
9 Somali
US Study and Design 4 lge towns 1 lge towns - 5 lge towns
9 sml towns 10 sml towns 7 sml towns 26 sml towns
Conventional sewerage systems are expensive to establish and maintain. They should only be
introduced in areas that can afford to support them, such as the central areas or high-income
residential areas of large towns. Also, piped sewerage requires large volumes of water; so, where
water flow is low, a piped system will not function effectively. An appropriate on-site sewerage
technology has to be promoted for the lower income areas of the towns where water supply is
distributed by public fountains and yard taps. Complementing such physical measures, health and
hygiene education should extend and improve awareness about health hazards that threaten
communities in the absence of proper sanitation.
Not all water that is consumed ends up as wastewater for disposal by sewerage systems. Some goes
into cooking, washing, or watering gardens. Much is lost through evaporation. The amount of water
lost depends on the standard of housing and traditional water uses. For instance, in high-income
dwellings, water consumption is high and results in higher wastewater production than in low-income
dwellings.
Feasibility studies have been conducted for water supply and sewerage requirements of some towns of
various sizes. The results indicate that provision of piped sewerage systems for some of those towns is
not feasible at present. The studies recommend the provision of public sanitary facilities and the
promotion of on-site facilities for individual dwellings where the piped sewerage systems cannot be
used. For larger towns, the installation of piped sewerage system has been recommended in the central
areas of the towns, and on-site sanitary facilities to serve the majority of the residents.
Several alternative forms of sewerage technology are available. Each is appropriate under specific
circumstances. Every method cannot be successfully applied in all situations. Several factors affect
the choice of technology, among which are: (a) soil conditions that affect the ease of excavation, the
stability of the walls of pits, and the ability of the soil to dispose of the liquid waste through seepage;
(b) service standards of the water supply that affect the operation of the system with minimum water
requirements; (c) type and density of buildings to be served; (d) socio-cultural characteristics of the
communities to be served; and (e) environmental impact of the type of sewerage.
Several sewerage technologies can be used in urban centers. Technologies that require use of water
are considered here that accord with national water policy. Some of them are suitable in urban
applications in areas of low and medium density. Most of them do not require complicated
construction and their costs are reasonable. In the Ethiopian economy and culture, the following
technologies that use water are preferred. Therefore, future sewerage studies for towns should
concentrate on: pour-flush toilets; septic tanks, soakage pits; sewer-connected PF toilets and septic
tanks; conventional sewerage. Where water is not made available, ventilated improved pit (VIP)
latrines are preferred. Proper disposal sites and off-site treatment facilities for sludge must be made,
and trucks must be provided for emptying septic tanks.
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If funds are insufficient to achieve the envisaged physical targets, the following guidelines may be
used to prioritize the investment plan.
National water policy gives priority to water supply and sanitation over irrigation,
hydropower, flood control, and other uses, implying that allocation of funding would likewise
favor water supply and sanitation. Within the WSSDP subsector, however, various options
could be considered in coping with the funding shortages.
Priority may be given to rehabilitation of existing water schemes before launching of new
ones. And those that have already completed a feasibility study and design stage, and have
been recommended for implementation.
Among the new schemes, priority may be given to schemes with lower unit costs to
implement, such as hand-dug wells, spring development, and shallow wells.
Priority may be given to drought-prone areas, less-developed regions, nomadic areas, and
areas with very high water scarcity for human and animal consumption.
Projects that are on-going and whose implementation is expected to continue during the
WSDP period may be good candidates for inclusion in the priority list.
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Chapter 6
Irrigation Development Program
At the close of the last millennium, Ethiopia was irrigating fewer than 200,000 hectares (ha) of
farmland, although a total of 3.7 million ha had been classified as potentially irrigable. This gross
underdevelopment of capacity to grow food and industrial crops has spurred the Irrigation
Development Program (IDP) to put an additional 273,829 ha under irrigation, an increase of 135 per
cent of currently irrigated farmlands, within its 15-year plan period of 2002–2016.
6.1 Goals
The central role of irrigated agriculture within the context of poverty reduction is well understood in
Ethiopia. Extreme poverty and hunger push people into marginal lands and more fragile ecosystems
characterized by drought stress and low soil fertility. Therefore, irrigated agriculture is important in
stimulating sustainable economic growth and rural employment, and it is the cornerstone for food
security and poverty reduction. Accordingly, the IDP attempts to target the following specific
objectives so as to achieve the overall goal of sustainable development.
Increase food production, leading to improvements in nutritional status and economic well-being
among the people.
(a) Increase production of agricultural raw materials for industries and export.
(b) Develop capacities for planning, implementing, and operating irrigation projects.
(c) Exploit land and water resources to enhance sustainability of agriculture and rural livelihoods.
(d) Reduce dependence on rain-fed water sources for agriculture and vulnerability to erratic
rainfall patterns.
6.2.1 Planning
The IDP is an effort to promote sustainable agricultural development. In this context, it determined
the new areas of irrigated cropland that would be required to satisfy the demand for agricultural
products from the projected population at the end of each of the three 5-year periods of program (i.e.,
2006, 2011, and 2016). Population projections by the Central Statistical Authority were used in
estimating national demand for cereals, seed cotton, and sugar crops for three planning horizons.
From those demand estimates, the expected crop production from rain-fed agriculture and areas
already under irrigation was subtracted, yielding estimates of unmet demand that pose the challenge
for irrigation planners.
Table 6-1 presents the results of those calculations of unmet demand for crop production that translate
into the need for new areas of irrigation. To meet its full cereal, fibre, and sugar requirements,
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Ethiopia would have to irrigate an additional 1.33 million ha of croplands in the short term, 1.56
million ha in the medium term, and 1.81 million ha in the long term.
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Table 6-1. Projected demand for cereals, cotton, and sugar and
estimates of required irrigated area over the planning horizon (2001–
2016)
In view of the existing and projected capacities (defined in terms of manpower needs, institutional
requirements, and availability of financial resources), needs for major crops on that scale could never
be met through expanded irrigation development within the planned time frame. Historical experience
lends necessary support to this contention. The IDP therefore sets targets that are realistic and
consistent with the objectives of the irrigation component of the current regional and federal
development plan (2001–2005). These targets appear to be overly ambitious if compared with the past
performance. However, they seem to be realistic given Ethiopia’s strong commitment to bring about a
social revolution by reducing poverty, which aims at exploiting its resources and reducing continuous
dependence on food-aid.
Increases in agricultural production resulting from the new irrigation projects are expected to reduce
the national cereals deficit by 11 per cent and the deficits in seed cotton and sugar crops by 24 per
cent each. Those estimates are based on the assumption that 50 per cent of newly irrigated areas will
be devoted to cereals and 50 per cent to cotton and sugar crops.
traditional small-scale schemes of up to 100 ha in area, built and operated by farmers in local
communities
modern communal schemes of up to 200 ha, built by Government agencies with farmer
participation
modern private schemes of up to 2,000 ha, owned and operated by private investors
individually, in partnership, or as corporations
public schemes of over 3,000 ha, owned and operated by public enterprises, as state farms.
Small-scale: traditional communities. Traditionally, farmers have built small-scale schemes at their
own initiative, with Government technical and material support. They manage them in their own
users’ associations or committees, irrigating areas of 50 to 100 ha, the average ranging from 70 to 90
ha. A total of 1,309 such schemes existed in 1992, covering an estimated 60,000 ha.
Farm families use traditional systems in irrigating such crops as cereals, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane,
vegetables, fruits, and chat, over areas ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 ha. The average farm size for current
planning purposes has been set at 0.25 ha.
Water users’ associations have long existed to manage traditional schemes. They are generally well
organized and effectively operated by farmers who know each other and are committed to cooperating
closely to achieve common goals. Typical associations comprise up to 200 users who share a main
canal or branch canal. They may be grouped into several teams of 20 to 30 farmers each. Such
associations handle construction, water allocation, operation, and maintenance functions.
Modern communal schemes are generally based on run-of-river diversion of streams and rivers, and
may also involve micro-dams for storage. Beneficiary farmers usually operate and maintain them
through users’ associations with, in some regions, on-farm support from zonal departments of
agriculture and support for headworks and main canals by zonal departments of water, mines, and
energy. Irrigation commissions or authorities provide technical support in such regions as Amhara, the
Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Oromiya, Tigray, and Affar.
Medium- to large-scale: private enterprise. Private estates pioneered the development of medium
and large-scale irrigation projects in the Upper Awash region during the 1950s and 1960s. They were
unexpectedly nationalized in the mid-1970s. During the 1990s some private schemes, mostly in the
form of limited companies, re-emerged with the adoption of market-based economic policy but have
expanded relatively slowly.
Currently 18 modern private irrigation projects are operating in some form over a total area of 6,000
ha. They are located in the Oromiya, SNNPR, and Affar regions.
Large-scale: public schemes. The history of public involvement in large-scale irrigation is relatively
recent, having started late in the 1970s. Others, notably Gode West, Omo Ratti, and Alwero-Abobo,
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Final Report: Water Sector Development Program
began late in the 1980s and early in the 1990s, but have not yet been completed. Most large-scale
schemes, excepting the Finchaa Sugar Estate (currently operating successfully), have been suspended
because public involvement was withdrawn as a result of Government changes. The recently issued
water management policy has, however, committed the Federal Government to small- and large-scale
project development in the new millennium.
Large-scale schemes being operated by public enterprises extend over an area estimated at 61,000 ha.
Two regions, Oromiya and Affar, account for nearly 87 per cent of all public irrigation schemes, with
73 per cent being located in the Awash Valley. The SNNPR and Somali regions contain 9.9 and 3.3
per cent, respectively, of public schemes.
In the initial 5 years (“short term”), program activity will focus largely on small-scale projects and
capacity building in the study, design, and implementation of projects. Work on medium- and large-
scale projects will be developed increasingly during the second and third 5-year periods (the medium-
and long-terms, respectively).
Screening, however, became necessary because all the LMSIDP projects scheduled in the current 5-
year development plans could not be included in the WSDP. Schemes in the inventory of master plans
alone comprised 98 large- and medium-scale projects that have generally been studied at
reconnaissance (pre-feasibility) or feasibility levels. A shortlist of 36 large- and medium-scale
irrigation schemes for final selection was established using the following criteria:
(a) All previously suspended irrigation schemes took precedence over new projects and made the
final selection; specifically, Omo Ratti, Alwero-Abobo, and Gode.
(b) All the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) projects were included in the list. Most are multipurpose in
nature. The irrigation component of their budget was allocated for IDP purposes.
(c) All schemes with a benefit/cost ratio greater than 1, an internal rate of return (IRR) greater
than 10 per cent, or a unit investment cost of US$ 9,500 per hectare or less were included in
the list.
(d) Multipurpose projects included in the Hydropower Development Program were also included
in the list.
The above criteria yielded a short list of 36 large- and medium-scale projects that were subjected to an
evaluation and ranking exercise resulting in a final selection of 16 projects. Large-scale projects
previously suspended during implementation, including Omo Ratti, Alwero-Abobo, and Gode also
made to the final list. (See table 6-4.)
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6.2.4 Assumptions
The IDP incorporates the following assumptions in the relevant program components. Some specific
assumptions used in estimating the cost of small scale irrigation schemes are outlined in section 6.4.3.
(a) The average size of each small-scale scheme is between 70 and 90 ha.
(b) A larger number of small-scale schemes are assumed to be studied earlier rather than during
successive stages.
(c) Three large-scale irrigation projects (Alwero-Abobo, Omo Ratti, and Gode) have feasibility
and some design documents.
(d) The three groups of NBI irrigation projects (Humera, Didessa, and Anger-Nekemt projects)
are considered for implementation.
(e) The Baro Right Bank (RB)/Baro Dam and the Upper Beles multipurpose schemes are to be
studied to feasibility level.
Governmental agencies that are responsible for study, design, and implementation of small-scale
schemes are regional water, mines, and energy bureaus and commissions for sustainable agricultural
and environmental rehabilitation, together with their zonal branches. Operation and maintenance of
irrigation schemes are coordinated by zonal departments of agriculture that also support agricultural
production through, for example, extension services.
(a) Construction of 23 large- & medium-scale irrigation projects and 1,606 small-scale schemes.
(b) Engineering design of 20 large- and medium-scale projects and 1,729 small-scale ones.
(c) Feasibility studies of about 2,378 small-scale irrigation systems and 20 large- and medium-
scale irrigation projects.
(f) Reappraisal and updating of the feasibility studies and designs of 3 large-scale schemes prior
to implementation (Omo Ratti, Alwero-Abobo and Gode).
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Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries
Area (Ha)
Area (Ha)
Area (Ha)
Schemes
Schemes
Schemes
No Region
1 Tigray 38 3,680 14,720 37 3,600 14,400 42 4,028 16,100
2 Affar 3 500 2,000 3 617 2,468 3 570 2,250
3 Amhara 107 9,711 38,307 104 9,500 38,000 118 11,250 45,000
4 Oromia 122 9,422 35,900 121 9,400 37,600 133 11,750 47,000
5 Somali 3 500 2,000 4 500 2,000 4 500 2,000
6 SNNPR 172 10,685 42,100 165 10,000 40,000 171 11,383 45,500
7 Benshangul 7 706 2,824 6 600 2,400 6 600 2,400
8 Gambela 5 500 2,000 5 500 2,000 5 500 2,000
9 Harar 2 200 800 2 200 800 2 200 800
10 Dire Dawa 3 300 1,200 6 381 1,524 5 351 1,400
11 Addis Ababa 38 615 2,460 -- -- -- -- -- --
11 All (NGO-
Supported) 46 3,500 14,000 58 5,050 20,000 60 5,339 21,350
Total 546 40,319 158,311 511 40,348 161,192 549 46,471 185,800
Most regional programs have already listed their small-scale irrigation schemes according to the level
of study. Table 6-5 presents a summary list of projects by level of study for 7 regions. The 3 regions
of Somali, Gambela, and Harar have no studied schemes.
A countrywide total of 395 schemes covering a combined area of 30,000 ha may be noted in table 6-5.
Of that total, 139 schemes with a combined area of 9,264 ha have been designed, while most of the
remaining 256 schemes (20,736 ha) are yet at reconnaissance stage.
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Most regions thus have a considerable number of projects designed and prepared in advance of the
short-term implementation period. With two thirds of listings being concentrated in Amhara, however,
the regional distribution of the schemes appears uneven, suggesting that the other regions must
complete their project preparation and design in order to meet WSDP requirements.
Table 6-4. Large- and medium-scale projects selected for the IDP
O$M Cost In
Invest. Cost
River Basin
2001 (US$)
IERR (%)
Cost/ha in
B/C Ratio
Net Area
(US$/ha)
Name of
(MUS$)
Project
Region
Invest.
in 001
Score
Rank
2001
(Ha)
No
Feasibility Study:
Baro-
1 Alwero Abobo Akobo Gambela 10,400 97.0 9,327 81 -- 11.4 1.65 5
Omo
2 Omo Ratti Gibe SNNPR 8,700 35.4 4,070 115 -- 19.1 2.52 1
3 Koga Abbay Amhara 6,000 49.3 8,216 109 -- 17.4 2.52 1
Benshang
4 Dabus Abbay ul-Gumuz 4,335 19.4 4,470 67 -- 10.0 2.17 2
Wabe
5 Gode Shebele Somali 15,200 110.6 7,279 137 -- 8.6 1.68 4
Pre-Feasibility:
6 Ribb Abbay Amhara 15,045 150.0 9,971 81 0.56 6.2 2.21 6
7 NE Lake Tana Abbay Amhara 3,903 24.1 6,168 170 1.17 13.0 2.27 4
8 Megech Abbay Amhara 10,018 43.2 4,311 114 1.80 19.6 2.49 3
9 Gilgel Abbay 5 Abbay Amhara 1,994 11.7 5,880 92 -- 13.4 2.57 2
10 Upper Guder Abbay Oromia 3,559 14.5 4,076 62 1.50 16.3 2.25 5
Reconnaissance Study:
11 NW Lake Tana Abbay Amhara 6,720 50.8 7,562 170 -- -- 2.13 7
12 Gumara Abbay Amhara 13,776 102.0 7,401 116 -- -- 2.20 5
13 SW Lake Tana Abbay Amhara 5,132 43.0 8,382 128 -- -- 2.24 4
14 Tis Abbay Pump Abbay Amhara 4,132 30.9 7,478 118 -- -- 2.30 3
15 Dipa Hayk Omo SNNPR 5,880 23.9 4,070 115 -- 19.1 2.52 1
16 Nargi Beach Omo SNNPR 2,070 8.4 4,070 115 -- 19.1 2.52 1
17 Azena/Ayo Abbay Amhara 1,092 8.5 7,782 102 -- -- 2.35 2
Total: 117,956 822.7
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Region
Benshan- Dire
Project Study Tigray Afar Amhara Oromia SNNPR gul Dawa Total
Level # Ha # Ha # Ha # Ha # Ha # Ha # Ha # Ha
Design 41 1149 3 617 77 5826 7 292 11 1380 -- -- -- -- 139 9264
Feasibility -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 25 -- -- 1 60 4 186 6 271
Reconnaissance
3 N.A. 3 530 201 16436 -- -- 13 1490 27 1615 3 N.A 250 20071
Total 44 1149 6 1147 278 22262 8 317 24 2870 28 1675 7 186 395 29606
The Government attaches the highest priority to the regional SSIDP projects, given the
importance of the current Poverty Reduction Strategy for the country. The Region-based
SSIDP aims to provide irrigation over 127,138 ha for an investment of US$ 599.4 million.
Three suspended national schemes have third place in priority, covering 34,300 ha in area for
an investment of US$ 220.4 million. (In discussions about that position in the hierarchy of
priorities, it has been argued that the three “suspended schemes” should precede the ENSAP
schemes because they are more cost-effective.)
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Total
Total
L/C
Total
Total
L/C
L/C
L/C
F/C
F/C
F/C
F/C
1 Federal Projects 114.7 64.4 50.1 268.1 160.6 107.5 700.9 420.5 280.4 1,083.7 645.7 438.0
1.1 Implementation 90.6 48.7 41.9 223.0 133.6 89.4 686.7 412.0 274.7 1,000.3 594.3 406.0
Studies & designs
1.2 a) Program Scheme 8.0 6.2 1.8 16.3 9.7 6.6 4.3 2.6 1.7 28.6 18.5 10.1
b) Nile Initiative
Schemes (W/o
Tana Shores
Schemes) 16.1 9.7 6.4 28.8 17.3 11.5 - - - 44.9 27.0 17.9
c) Multi-purpose
Schemes - - - - - - 9.9 5.9 4.0 9.9 5.9 4.0
2 Regional Projects 193.2 74.8 118.4 188.8 73.0 115.8 217.4 84.1 133.3 599.4 231.9 367.5
2.1 Implementation 188.3 74.3 114.0 184.0 72.5 111.5 211.9 83.5 128.4 584.2 230.3 353.9
2.2 Studies & Designs 4.9 .05 4.4 4.8 .05 4.3 5.5 0.6 4.9 15.2 1.6 13.6
Total 307.9 139.4 168.5 456.3 223.6 223.3 918.3 504.6 413.7 1683.1 877.6 805.5
Fourth priority goes to other LMSIDP schemes that will be implemented over 29,062 ha for
an investment of US$ 166.6 million. The Federal LMSIDP investment plans were based on
the schemes listed in table 6-3.
Last but not least, a study of two multipurpose schemes to cover 124,626 ha will be
undertaken at a cost of US$ 10.2 million.
program periods are US$ 114.4 million in the short-term, US$ 260.5 million in the medium-term, and
US$ 739.4 million in the long-term. The foreign currency component makes about 60 per cent of that
investment figure, or US$ 664.1 million. That component includes study, design, and construction
works.
Unit costs of 2001 were used in estimating LMSIDP investment requirements. Unit costs were
assumed to include all cost components except training and capacity building, which are accounted
for under “Institutional Aspects” of the WSDP (Chapter 9). Investment cost component was assumed
to include all construction costs and the costs of reconnaissance surveys.
The costs of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, surveys, and investigations were assumed to
represent as 1.5 per cent of the total construction costs. The research and data collection costs
constituted as 1 per cent; engineering design as 4 per cent; construction supervision, management, and
monitoring and evaluation as 7.5 per cent; and physical and price contingencies as 15 per cent.
In the short-term period of the IDP (2002–2006), the following projects or activities will be
implemented concurrently:
(a) Omo Ratti and Koga projects (of 8,700 and 4,344 ha, respectively).
(b) Pre-investment tasks of the Alwero (10,400 ha), Gode (15,200 ha), Koga (6,000 ha), and
Megech (10, 018 ha) projects, including study updating, design approval and completion, and
tendering of the first 3 projects; and feasibility, design, and tendering of the last project. Also,
6 NBI/ENSAP projects will be studied to the feasibility level.
During the medium-term period (2007–2011), 4 large-scale and 1 medium-scale irrigation projects
(for a total of 32,166 ha) will be implemented. Project preparation, design, and tendering of 7 large-
scale projects (for 51,287 ha) will be completed. Project design and tendering of 6 ENSAP projects
(for 122,118 ha) will be executed and work on the Humera project (for 5,465 ha) will commence.
The long-term period (2012–2016 ha) will see implementation of 10 large-scale and 1 medium-scale
irrigation scheme (for a total of 71,963 ha) and the preparation, design, and tendering of 4 large-scale
and 1 medium-scale projects. Other project work includes study of 2 large-scale multipurpose projects
to the feasibility level, starting implementation of 5 ENSAP projects (for 16,518 ha), and continuation
of construction of the Humera scheme (for 10,000 ha).
A number of assumptions were employed in arriving at the estimates of the SSIDP. These
assumptions are listed below.
Exchange rate: The exchange rate used in estimating SSIDP costs for the short-term development
period is US$ 1.00 = Birr 8.30. That was the prevailing rate when regional plans were prepared. For
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the medium- and long-term periods, the exchange rate is that which prevailed during the first week in
June 2001, i.e., US$ 1.00 = Birr 8.44.
Unit investment cost: Small-scale irrigation schemes generally utilize surface-water resources. In
some regions, such as Tigray, a few schemes are based on groundwater resources. In this IDP, the
assumption is that 40 per cent of the small-scale projects are being based on small earth storage dams
and 60 per cent on run-of-river diversion weirs. With this premise, an average unit investment cost of
about Birr 40,000 per hectare has been used in projecting the total investment cost for the medium-
and long-term periods of the SSIDP.
Regions with no investment plans: In estimating the SSIDP costs for regions that have made no
investment plans of their own, the weighted average base cost of the 4 regions having the greatest
proportion of operations has been adopted in establishing costs for short-term programs. (Those
regions are Amhara, the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region [SNNPR], Oromia, and
Tigray.) The estimated base cost is calculated at Birr 31,274 per ha and total unit investment cost is
calculated at Birr 37,216 per ha. To reflect the costs of new schemes, the estimate of Birr 5,000 per ha
has been deducted from the base cost of every region that has a rehabilitation component in its
program.
Cost composition: In the absence of cost breakdowns of the regional small-scale investment plans, the
total investment costs are assumed to include all costs. These include costs of studies, designs,
construction, machinery and equipment, labour, supervision and management, repairs and
rehabilitation, and contingencies, as well as research, data collection, and monitoring and evaluation.
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Table 6-8. Federal investment schedule for large- and medium-scale irrigation development, by project (US$
Million)
N0 Project Short Term Medium Term Long Term Program Total 2.
(2002–2006) (2007–2911) (2012–2016) (2002–2016)
02 03 04 05 06 F/C 07 08 09 10 11 F/C 12 13 14 15 16 F/C Ha Total F/C L/C 3.
A Prep. Activity:
1 Approv& Fund ___ ___
B Study/Des&Impl
2 Train & Cap. B ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
3 Alwero Abobo 1 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.5 14.7 14.7 14.7 14.7 17.6 45.8 10,400 78.8 47.3 31.5 Susp.
4 Omo Ratti 3.3 7.7 8.1 8.1 8.2 21.2 8,700 35.4 21.2 14.2 ,,
5 Curren
Gode 2 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 7.2 9.3 9.3 12.4 12.4 12.4 33.5 12.4 12.4 13.6 23.0 15,200 106.2 63.7 42.5 t
6 Koga3 5.7 4.4 28.8 4.5 3.2 23.7 2.7 1.4 6,000 49.3 25.1 24.2 New
7 Dabus 0.3 0.3 5.8 6.5 6.5 11.6 4,335 19.4 11.6 7.8 New
8 Ribb 2.1 2.1 2.2 3.8 28.6 28.6 28.6 28.7 29.1 86.2 15,045 150.0 90.0 60.0 NBI
9 NE Tana 0.3 0.7 0.6 11.3 11.8 13.9 3,903 24.1 14.5 9.6 ,,
10 Megech 0.6 0.6 0.7 1.1 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.3 8.4 24.8 10,018 43.2 25.9 17.3 ,,
11 Gilgel Abbay-5 0.5 5.6 5.6 7.0 1,994 11.7 7.0 4.7 New
12
Upper Guder 0.3 0.3 0.4 6.1 7.8 8.3 3,559 14.5 8.7 5.8 Multip.
13 NW Tana 0.4 0.9 0.8 0.9 10.8 10.9 10.9 16.0 29.7 6,720 50.8 30.5 20.3 NBI
14 Gumara 1.4 1.5 1.5 2.6 17.7 17.7 17.7 17.7 26.8 58.6 13,776 102.0 61.2 40.8 ,,
15 SW Tana 0.9 0.9 9.1 16.0 16.1 25.8 5,132 43.0 25.8 17.2 ,,
16 Tis Abbay Pum. 0.5 0.9 0.8 14.2 15.3 17.7 4,132 30.9 18.5 12.4 New
17 Tis 3-5 1.3 0.8 1.3 9.9 16.9 16.9 16.9 37.1 7,167 63.2 37.9 25.3 ,,
18 Azena/Ayo 0.3 8.2 5.1 1,092 8.5 5.1 3.4 ,,
C Study/Part Imp:
19 Arjo-Didessa 1.2 1.2 1.4 3.1 3.2 3.8 17.4 20.4 22.7 2,780 46.5 27.9 18.6 NBI
20 Negesso 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.8 2.9 3.4 10.1 11.6 13.0 2,815 29.5 17.7 11.8 ,,
21 Dabena 0.9 1.0 1.1 2.5 2.6 3.1 13.5 14.5 16.8 2,888 35.0 21.0 14.0 ,,
22 Angar 0.7 0.9 1.0 2.1 2.1 2.5 12.9 13.3 15.7 2,959 32.0 19.2 12.8 ,,
23 Nekemte 0.6 0.7 0.8 1.8 1.8 2.2 11.0 14.7 15.4 2,620 30.6 18.4 12.2 ,,
24 Humera 1.4 1.5 3.9 4.1 3.9 5.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 20.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 11.7 35.1 15,465 99.8 59.9 39.9 ,,
25 BaroRB,Baro D. 2.4 2.5 2.9 50,900 4.9 2.9 2.0 Multip.
26 Upper Beles 2.5 2.5 3.0 53,720 5.0 3.0 2.0 ,,
Total 11.4 14.5 43.4 22.6 22.5 64.4 42.7 49.9 55.9 49.2 62.8 156.1 108.3 137.8 122.4 173.3 197.6 443.5 1114.3 664.0 450.3
1
The current cost of the Alwero Dam has been deducted
2
The estimated cost of the weir and head-works of the Gode Project have been deducted. The main irrigation system of Gode is expected to be completed during the short-term period.
3 The investment schedule is according to ADF’s Koga Irrigation and Watershed Management Project Appraisal Report, February 2001
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Since the cost component of training and capacity building is accounted for under “Institutional
Aspects” of the WSDP, this component is omitted from the investment plan for the SSIDP. The
distribution of costs as percentages of the base construction cost has been set as follows: study and
design (3 per cent); supervision and management (4 per cent); data collection, research, and
monitoring and evaluation (1 per cent); contingencies (10 per cent); and training and capacity building
(1.5 per cent).
(a) Study and design of small-scale irrigation schemes (reconnaissance, feasibility, and
engineering design).
Amhara. The second 5-year development program of Amhara has set the following targets for small-
scale irrigation development. The budget for the 5-year Amhara program is Birr 467,668,438 (US$
56,345,595).
Some 937 skilled personnel will be deployed in the project, including 137 engineers and technicians.
Equipment and vehicles for implementing the program include 88 items of construction machinery,
93 trucks, and 50 field vehicles.
AFD and IFAD will support 32 schemes that cover an area of 2,661 ha. AFD’s program in Amhara
comprises 6 small-scale schemes with earth dams (529 ha) for a total investment of Birr 18,941,099
(US$ 2,282,060). IFAD’s program in Amhara includes 26 small-scale schemes to irrigate an area of
2,132 ha. The estimated investment cost of Birr 71,038,240 (US$ 8,558,824) is based on the
assumption that 60 per cent of the schemes are diversion schemes, at a basic unit cost of Birr 20,000
per ha, and 40 per cent are for earth dams at a basic unit cost of Birr 40,000 per ha.
The Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR). The regional investment plan
for irrigation envisages the following targets:
The SNNPR program will benefit 49,260 farm families. The planned budget amounts to Birr
282,081,825 (US$ 33,985,762). Skilled manpower requirements call for an additional 318 personnel,
comprising 93 for study and design, 118 for construction, and 107 for support.
IFAD and AFD programs will support 13 additional schemes to irrigate 1,320 ha. The AFD program
will support 5 schemes (650 ha for an investment of Birr 7,552,351 (US$ 909,922). Based on
SNNPR’s investment cost for the short-term SSIDP, IFAD’s program of 8 schemes (670 ha) is
estimated at Birr 15,485,710 or US$ 1,865,482.
Oromia. The 5-year development plan of Oromia has scheduled new irrigation investment worth Birr
261,976,000 (US$ 31,563,372) that includes work on 100 new small-scale schemes on a combined
area of 7,865 ha. Under the plan, Oromia will also undertake:
88 rehabilitation studies
84 rehabilitation works
establishment of 45 forestry and horticultural nurseries
training of 135,625 beneficiary farmers in project study, construction, and watershed
management
mobilization of 65,864 beneficiary farmers for participatory development, including irrigation
construction and watershed management
establishment of 698 water committees
training of 1,570 water committee members
establishment of 100 water users’ associations
co-ordination of operations and maintenance of 204 modern communal irrigation schemes.
IFAD and AFD will support 22 schemes (covering 1,557 ha) in the short-term period of the Oromia
SSIDP. The AFD program for Oromia, for an estimated total investment of Birr 7,405,019 (US$
892,171), envisages the development of 8 small-scale schemes with a combined area of 532 ha that
will benefit 1,719 farm families. IFAD supports 14 small-scale irrigation schemes that cover 1,025 ha.
Based on the investment cost of the Oromia SSIDP, the total cost of the IFAD schemes is estimated at
Birr 27,628,875 (US$ 3,328,780).
Tigray. The regional SSIDP consists of construction of 19 new schemes to irrigate an area of 3,044
ha and the repair of 10 earth dam schemes at a total cost of Birr 204,721,956 (US$ 24,665,296). The
investment also includes feasibility studies of 3 river basins (1,926 km2).
In addition, the IFAD program envisages the implementation of 19 small-scale schemes (636 ha) that
would benefit up to 2,544 households. The investment cost is estimated at Birr 12,720,000 (US$
1,532,530) with the assumption that 60 per cent of the schemes are diversion schemes and 40 per cent
are based on earth dams. The average investment cost of both types of schemes is Birr 30,400 per ha.
The total investment cost of the IFAD program is estimated at Birr 19,334,400 (US$ 2,329,446).
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Chapter 7
Hydropower Development Program
Preparation of the Hydropower Development Program (HDP) for the period 2002–2016 required a
comprehensive sector review, development of a program strategy, and identification of projects to
achieve the planned targets, together with assessment of the investment implications. HDP targets
were framed primarily to meet domestic electricity demand of approximately 5,000 GWh, within the
main supply system of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), and small-scale
hydropower development needs in rural areas. The HDP examines the possibilities of electricity
export as well.
appropriate hydropower projects are studied, designed, and developed with sufficient lead
time
negative environmental impacts are mitigated to the extent possible, and positive
environmental impacts are exploited as far as possible
7.2.1 Planning
Preparation of the HDP started with an in-depth review of all issues surrounding demand for power,
including local and export markets. In this context, two recent studies, one by Acres International
Limited (2000) and the other by EEPCo provided the essential basis to set the future targets. EEPCo
while examining the Acres study concluded that the growth rates it adopted for national GDP as well
as electricity demand were unrealistically low. EEPCo therefore developed its own demand forecast
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on the basis of average GDP growth of 4.4 per cent for the year 2000 and 6.6 per cent per year for the
period 2001–2025.
Studies have concurred with the above estimate. To establish the economic potential of energy in
Ethiopia, water regulation options were considered that require dam/diversion weir lengths below 750
metres and dam heights below 120 metres (WAPCOS, 1990). Installed capacity corresponding to
output of 145,000 GWh per year, at an average plant utilization factor of 0.6, would be about 27,000.
That would put the economic hydroelectric potential at nearly 1,000 times the current demand for
electricity. Hydroelectric energy development in Ethiopia is thus a highly sustainable proposition.
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Annual per capita energy consumption in Ethiopia is about 25 kWh of electricity, 16 kg of petroleum
and 276 kg of oil equivalent of other energy sources, mainly biomass. Ethiopia’s per capita electricity
consumption is among the lowest in the world, and oil consumption is similarly low, in comparison
with the world average of about 600 kg per person per year. The household sector consumes the bulk
(82 per cent) of the country’s energy production. The transport sector uses more than 70 per cent of
imported oil, while agriculture uses only 3 per cent. According to a recent assessment, 9 per cent of
the Ethiopian population has access to hydroelectric power supply, while 1 per cent has access to
diesel-powered electricity supply.
The Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo) is the national agency responsible for generating,
transmitting, distributing, and selling electricity countrywide. EEPCo operates 2 systems: the
“interconnected system” (ICS) and the “self-contained system” (SCS). ICS has an installed capacity
of 453 MW: 7 hydropower stations provide 444 MW and diesel stations contribute 9 MW, yielding a
total output capability of about 2,121 GWh per year. Peak loads for 1995 and 1999 were 285 MW and
318 MW, respectively. Annual per capita production of electricity is low even by regional standards
— Ethiopia’s per capita generation of electricity during 1996 was 26 kWh, while Uganda’s was 40
kWh, the Sudan’s 50 kWh, and Kenya’s 150 kWh.
The supply system is constrained by its low capacity relative to demand. Low rainfall levels in recent
years have worsened the production picture. Reservoir siltation in older plants has reduced storage
capacity, exacerbating the water shortage in dry years and spillage requirements when floods occur.
Areas outside the ICS reach are supplied by the SCS with its aggregate capacity of 38 MW, 84 per
cent of which comes from diesel-powered stations. A few small private generating facilities operate
outside of the EEPCo system, accounting for less than 5 per cent of the national supply.
Since the Federal Government envisages annual GDP growth of 7 per cent in the long term, the
generation target in the formulation of HDP is based on EEPCo’s forecast. Apart from the assumption
of a 6.6 per cent annual growth rate, urban population growth was assumed to follow the projections
established by the Central Statistical Authority.
Table 7-1 presents EEPCo’s benchmark projections from the year 2000 of countrywide electricity
demand at the end of each of the 3 sub-periods (short-term, medium-term, and long-term) of the
WSDP planning horizon of 2002–2016. In formulating those projections, the generation requirement
is set at 20 per cent greater than projected consumption, owing to expected delivery system losses.
A system load factor of 60 per cent is assumed throughout the plan period. This assumption is based
on the present level of the EEPCo system load factor that stands at about 60 per cent. The load factor
for a supply system does not normally change drastically, or suddenly at any one time, unless
deliberate measures are taken to alter the daily or seasonal demand curves. EEPCo’s system load
factor varied between 53 and 63 per cent during the 30-year period (1967–1997) without any
perceptible trend. As such, it is assumed that the demand curve will not alter beyond a certain level
for a given socio-economic and climatic setting.
Higher load factors mean more efficient utilization of installed generation capacity. Conversely, lower
load factors mean greater capacity set aside for peak-hour demand. The later case implies a more
expensive operation. However, higher load factors cannot be achieved without control and monitoring
costs, nor without inconvenience to the consumer. To improve economic and operational efficiency,
higher load factors could be encouraged, but should not be imposed on the consumer.
The largest unit in the system is assumed to be 60 MW for the period 2002–2006 and 75 MW for
2007–2016. These unit capacities correspond to those of the Gilgel Gibe and Tekeze plants,
respectively. They represent future minimums of unit capacities for the system. Power plants coming
on stream after Tekeze may have different unit capacities. However, the unit capacities are not
expected to exceed 75 MW, because Tekeze represents an upper limit for medium-sized hydro plants.
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According to EEPCo 5-year development plan (1993–1997, Ethiopian calendar), firm generation
capacity was 327 MW and capability (in terms of energy output) in the ICS was 1,367 GWh in year
2000. Thus, requirements for megawatt and gigawatt-hour additions to meet local demand in the ICS
would be as shown in table 7-2. The calculations in panel 7-3 show how additions to generation
capacity were computed.
In computing the required additions, the assumption was that the existing plants (Koka, Awash I,
Awash II, Melka, Wakena, and Finchaa) would continue to deliver at least the same level of output
that they delivered in 2000. Any sustained decrease would have to be offset by new plants or
generating units. Generation-capacity targets and hydropower plants that must be commissioned in
order to meet the generation-capacity additions indicated in table 7-3 are presented in table 7-4. The
investment plans for generation projects in the HDP period are tailor-made to the generation targets
shown in table 7-4.
The maximum amount of energy envisaged for transmission to Sudan during any single year was 665
GWh, while the maximum power transmission was set at 100 MW. The study recommended that the
power transfer follow a Debremarkos–Injibara–Roseires route on a 230-kV transmission line. The
length of the line would be 430 km. The total cost of line construction was estimated at US$ 61.3
million, of which US$ 46.1 million would be invested in Ethiopia.
The internal economic rate of return (IERR) on the project investment depended largely on the
amount of energy transmitted over the lifetime of the transmission line. Nevertheless, the project was
shown to be economic even if a total of only 2,722 GWh were to be transmitted during the first 7
years and operations were to cease thereafter. The IERR, under such conditions, was shown to reach
31.65 per cent
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The investment on construction of the transmission line was estimated at US$ 28.7 million, of which
US$ 16.8 million would be invested in Ethiopia. The IERR for the best case (Dire Dawa PK12,
“Southern route — case 211”) is estimated to reach 19.8 per cent, equivalent to a project net benefit of
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Final Report: Water Sector Development Program
Table 7-4. Generation capacity requirements and power plants to be commissioned for meeting
generation targets
$US 20.3 million over a 22-year period. The IERR indicated for the Ethiopia–Djibouti inter-
connection project is thus smaller than for the Ethiopia–Sudan interconnection.
Other export possibilities: Discussions with respect to power trade between Nile riparian countries as
well as with member countries of the NBISAP are at an exploratory stage. No export targets can be
set as yet on power trade in those areas.
The list of on-going projects contains all construction and study projects under implementation. They
are largely hydropower development projects being implemented by EEPCo. On the other hand, the
list of planned projects embodies all study and construction projects whose implementation is due to
start during the next 5 years. The list is derived from the development program drafted by various
institutions for the plan period 2001–2005. Since only EEPCo projects have been referred to
specifically by names of projects/sites, the list has been limited to EEPCo projects.
Studied projects constitute the majority of projects in the inventory. Most of the studied projects have
been extracted from basin master-plan studies for Baro-Akobo, Omo-Ghibe, Abbay, and Tekeze.
However, hydropower development schemes from other studies by the Federal and Regional
Government institutions have also been included to make the list as comprehensive as possible.
Project identification and initial screening were based on the following considerations:
(a) Studies conducted prior to 1982 have largely been reviewed and included in studies done
since then.
(b) Hydropower schemes not included in higher-stage studies since 1982 are deemed not
attractive and therefore discarded for practical considerations.
The initial list identified 225 hydropower development projects that comprised: 30 large-hydro sites,
120 medium-hydro sites, and 75 small-hydro sites. Among other items, the estimates of installed
capacities, investment costs, and unit costs of production were compiled and tabulated for all those
sites. Identified and screened projects were categorized by type of study; i.e., according to whether
they were to be: feasibility studies or pre-feasibility studies or reconnaissance studies or identification
studies. The screening criteria and other special considerations (elaborated in the succeeding sections)
resulted in short listing of 60 projects at different levels of study as per following details (see table 7-
5):
18 large-scale hydropower (>200 MW) projects: 3 for construction, 7 for feasibility studies,
and 8 for pre-feasibility studies.
20 medium-scale hydropower (10-200 MW) projects: 8 for feasibility studies, and 12 for pre-
feasibility studies.
22 small-scale hydropower (<10 MW) projects: 7 for construction, and 15 for reconnaissance
studies (as defined by WAPCOS).
Categorization of hydropower development projects by executing body was neither necessary nor
possible for the following reasons:
(a) For small-hydro schemes (of less than 10 MW), the executing body is the relevant Regional
bureau. The hydropower development schemes in this category are listed in table 7-5.
(b) For studies of medium- and large-hydro schemes, the executing body is MoWR. Schemes
under this category are listed in table 7-5. Exceptions are the studies of Neshe and Awash IV
schemes that may be studied by EEPCo.
3. Candidate projects recommended for ICS connection or energy export by the Baro-Akobl RBIDMS
during the master plan period.
D. Based on draft reports; hence, values are likely to be changed in the final reports.
Installed Firm energy Investment Unit cost of Cost/ Year of Investment cost Unit cost of firm energy
PROJECT NAME capacity cost US$M firm energy benefit study US$M @ year US¢/kWh @ year
MW GWh/y @ yr of study @ yr of study ratio 2001 prices 2001 prices
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
LARGE-SCALE HYDROPOWER ( > 200 MW )
FEASIBILITY LEVEL (Candidates for construction)
Aleletu West 214 983 544.8 9.8 1995 611 11.00
Aleletu East ( Ultimate1 ) 204 917 515.7 9.9 1995 579 11.11
Beles 220 1 540 266 3.4 1.46 2000 271 3.47
PRE-FEASIBILITY LEVEL (Candidates for feasibility studies)
Baro 2 + reservoir dam (BA2) 475 2 094 442 3.07 1.4 1999 460 3.19
3
Baro 1+2 + DamE 669 2 741 544 2.95 1.4 1999 566 3.07
3
Geba 1+Geba 2 + DamE 254 1 633 332 3.15 1999 345 3.28
Werabesa(DS3A) 280 1 222 519 4.67 1996 540 4.86
Werabesa(DS3A)1 415 1 812 888 5.39 1996 924 5.61
Halele Werabissa Stage II 294 1 419 345 3.69 1999 359 3.84
Halele Werabissa Stage I & II 390 1 879 561.6 4.34 1999 584 4.52
RECONNAISSANCE LEVEL (Candidates for pre-feasibility studies)
Gojeb (OM 12) 425 1 864 705 4.16 1996 777 4.58
Derbu(DS5) 250 1 092 390 3.9 1996 430 4.30
Fofa (DS8A)2 258 1 130 494 4.81 1996 544 5.30
Border 1 440 6 307 1 487.1 4.4 1998 1 547 4.58
Karadobi ( w/o Tana diversion 770 3 373 1 195.2 6.3 1998 1 243 6.55
Mendaia ( w/o Tana diversion) 1 255 5 497 1 285.2 4.2 1998 1 ,337 4.37
Genale (GD4) 300 1 299 431.6 3.85 1.63 1997 462 4.12
Gojeb (OM21) 540 2 369 888 4.12 1996 978 4.54
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Table 7-5. Short-listed hydropower development projects with unit costs of energy production, at 2001
prices (continued)
Installed Firm energy Investment Unit cost of Cost/ Year of Investment cost Unit cost of firm energy
PROJECT NAME capacity cost US$M firm energy Benefit study US$M @ year US¢/kWh @ year
MW GWh/y @ yr of study @ yr of study ratio 2001 prices 2001 prices
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
MEDIUM-SCALE HYDROPOWER (10–200 MW)
PRE-FEASIBILITY LEVEL (Candidates
for feasibility studies)
3
Gumero 51.6 255 99.78 4.9 11.4 1997 107 5.25
Genale 3 (GD3) 164 1 215 234 2.69 1.8 1999 243 2.80
Guder 100 361 132 4.88 1 1999 137 5.08
Baro1 – reservoir dam ( BA1) 194 647 104 2.28 1.7 1999 108 2.37
Geba 1+reservoir dam 154 857 279 4.74 1 1999 290 4.93
(GBD)+GB1)
Geba 2- reservoir dam 100 776 85 1.5 2.7 1999 88 1.56
Halele (OM4) 105 454 236 5.72 1996 260 6.30
RECONNAISSANCE LEVEL (Candidates for pre-feasibility studies)
Fetam 125 550 204.5 6.5 1998 213 6.76
Alati (OM5) 160 697 304 4.8 1996 335 5.29
Abelti ( OM3) 145 635 272 4.71 1996 300 5.19
OM6 130 574 213 4.08 1996 235 4.49
3Birbir A3 95 529 130.42 4.5 1997 140 4.82
3
Kashu 60 298.5 80.79 4 1997 87 4.28
3
Sor 65 342 127.57 5.9 1997 137 6.32
Ner1 Jinka 58 255 80 3.45 1996 88 3.80
Daka (OM)2 68 299 96 3.53 1996 106 3.89
Neshe B 21.8 95 41.3 6.9 1998 43 7.18
Upper Guder 20 88 41.2 7.5 1998 43 7.80
Awash IV 34 75.41 1998 78 0.00
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Table 7-5. Short-listed hydropower development projects with unit costs of energy production, at 2001
prices (continued)
Installed Firm energy Investment Unit cost of Cost/ Year of Investment cost Unit cost of firm energy
PROJECT NAME capacity cost US$M firm energy Benefit study US$M @ year US¢/kWh @ year
MW GWh/y @ yr of study @ yr of study ratio 2001 prices 2001 prices
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
SMALL-SCALE HYDROPOWER ( < 10 MW )
FEASIBILITY LEVEL (Candidates for construction)
Achani 2.5
Neri 4
Weyib Go - 3 9
Kettar 0.54 3.642 1.072 7.38 0.8 1999 1 7.68
Senqole-Hora 0.22 2.108 0.739 13.62 0.8 1999 1 14.17
Ketto 0.44 4.576 1.16 13.38 0.6 1999 1 13.92
Mogor 0.17 1.877 0.821 16.38 0.5 1999 1 17.04
WAPCOS IDENTIFIED PROJECTS (Candidates for reconnaissance studies)
Aw1 23.5 145 57.2 4.34 1990 64 4.87
AW5 29 178 70.6 4.37 1990 79 4.90
AW7 25.3 155 89.5 4.3 1990 100 4.82
AW9 36 227 89.5 4.3 1990 100 4.82
AW14 39 226.8 94.5 4.38 1990 106 4.91
GD6 117 7 171 245.9 3.8 1990 276 4.26
GD7 188 1 299 431.6 3.85 1990 484 4.32
GD16 92.4 566.3 194.5 3.78 1990 218 4.24
GD25 22.7 140 53.48 4.2 1990 60 4.71
MG1? 0.66 4.1 1.85 1990 0 2.08
WS2 29.3 149.1 53.8 3.97 1990 60 4.45
WS13 74 458.3 157.38 3.78 1990 177 4.24
WS14 75 459.2 157.88 3.78 1990 177 4.24
TK15 4.6 28 12.91 4.43 1990 14 4.97
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TK16 4.4 28 12.35 4.23 1990 14 4.75
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Hydropower development schemes that would begin construction in the long term (in either Federal
or Regional projects) could not be specified by name, because selection would depend on the outcome
of feasibility studies yet to be undertaken for candidate sites.
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EEPCo recently commissioned a master plan study for expansion of the power sector. The master
plan describes a development path for the power sector from 2001 to 2005. Differences in the scope
of work and approaches between the master plan study and HDP plan formulation have resulted in
different outcomes in those 2 exercises.
The HDP plan provides more details about the options available for hydropower development, having
benefited from master plan studies conducted to date for various river basins. Using the hydro
resource base identified in the River Basin Master Plans, the HDP provides a wider opportunity for
the study and subsequent choice of hydropower projects to ensure that the most feasible projects are
implemented first. With the exception of ongoing and committed projects, the HDP does not identify
projects for future construction by name.
The Power Sector Expansion Master Plan, on the other hand, limits itself to the selection of pre-
feasibility and feasibility studies without giving much attention to what has been defined in the River
Basin Master Plan studies. As such, the EEPCo Plan has, a priori, specified which projects must be
implemented during the master plan period, on the basis simply of current knowledge about projects.
The HDP is believed, therefore, to provide a better foundation for the development of the country’s
hydropower resources. It does not dispute the planned outcomes of the Power Sector Expansion
Master Plan in any major way, but it does place hydropower development in a broader and much
stronger perspective.
Further discussion about how the 2 power plans differ follows below.
The rationale for sustaining and promoting hydropower generation is based on the cost-effectiveness
of the hydro option, Ethiopia’s huge hydro endowment, and the potential for multipurpose use of
water that is regulated for hydropower generation. Ethiopia’s hydro resources are widely distributed
over various climatic zones, including areas of almost year-round rainfall as in the southwest. Sites in
such areas can be rationally developed to mitigate effects of drought elsewhere. Hence, the HDP
essentially follows an “all-hydro” approach. Some changes can, of course, be made during actual
implementation of the program, depending on the cost-effectiveness of various modes of generation in
the future. Notwithstanding the primary HDP focus on hydropower development, the demand forecast
used in HDP is basically that of the Power Sector Expansion Master Plan.
The HDP has included projects and investment in: (a) hydropower development studies, (b) regional
projects (i.e., projects within various regional states of Ethiopia), and (c) projects for export
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Final Report: Water Sector Development Program
production and for the Eastern Nile Subsidiary Action Program (ENSAP). The Master Plan did not
include these investments. On the other hand, the Master Plan did include transmission line and
substation projects that are not included in the HDP, which considers only generation.
In the shortlist of projects, all medium and large hydro schemes studied to feasibility stage have been
retained for subsequent comparison with other sites to be studied during the HDP period. The energy
production costs for those sites range between 3.47 US¢ / kWh (for Beles) and 11.11 US¢ / kWh (for
Aleltu East), at 2001 prices. Also, 4 small hydropower schemes with feasibility studies have been
retained for subsequent comparison with other schemes in the small-hydro range.
Study projects. In the HDP strategy, the number of medium and large hydro sites to be studied by
Federal institutions at feasibility, pre-feasibility, and reconnaissance stages is set at 1 site per year for
each type of study. This rate of study of promising sites is expected to remove the current problem of
a paucity of feasibility and design studies from which to select sites for construction. The most
promising sites for feasibility, pre-feasibility, and reconnaissance studies have been selected for
shortlisting on the following bases.
For feasibility studies, 14 sites (medium and large hydro sites) with unit production costs
below 6.35 US¢ / kWh, at 2001 prices, have been selected from available pre-feasibility
studies in the medium and large hydro ranges. A commitment exists to undertake feasibility
studies at 3 of those sites (Geba 1, Baro1, and Genale 3). The shortlist of pre-feasibility
projects will be expanded by entrants from pre-feasibility studies of projects currently at
reconnaissance stage.
For pre-feasibility studies, 10 sites with unit production costs below 4.7 US¢ / kWh, at 2001
prices, have been selected from available reconnaissance studies. In addition, Birbir, Fofa
(DS8A), Fetam, Alati, Abelti, Sor, Upper Guder, and Karadobe (under NBISAP) have been
included in the shortlist for pre-feasibility studies under special consideration. Neshe (as part
of Amarti) and Awash IV sites have also been listed because EEPCo is already committed to
further studies on those sites. Thus, 20 sites have been shortlisted for pre-feasibility study.
For reconnaissance studies, 15 sites identified in the WAPCOS study having unit production
costs below 5.0 US¢ / kWh, at 2001 prices, have been selected.
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To update reconnaissance studies undertaken in various master-plan studies, 15 more sites with
potential for multipurpose development and of optimum size (100–200 MW) for interconnection with
the ICS will be selected during HDP implementation. MoWR is expected to do the updating in
parallel with new reconnaissance studies on other sites. Table 7-5 presents the short-listed projects.
(b) Study and design for hydropower schemes on Birbir, Geba, Baro, and Karadobi sites--
investment for the study and design has been indicated in the investment plan (see table 7-8).
(c) Hydropower plant construction under NBISAP--the best site or sites will be determined on
the basis of feasibility studies. Tentative investment requirements for such construction are
shown separately as “hydropower plant construction under the Nile Basin Initiative.”
7.3 Assumptions
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Although some of the specific assumptions employed in the development of HDP have been
discussed above under the relevant topics, this section recaptures some of those assumptions as well
as those apply to the whole HDP.
Although the basic criterion used in hydropower project screening, ranking, and selection is
the unit cost of electricity production for each project, ongoing and committed projects under
MoWR and EEPCo have been short-listed without any re-evaluation.
ENSAP projects have been included without screening, since they were selected and
presented in their own appropriate forums. Such criteria as environmental impact are assumed
to have been built into the unit cost of production and have not been separately applied. In any
case, most hydropower development projects are studies, so environmental impact and other
features will be examined in detail during the program implementation.
Average GDP growth rate of 4.4 per cent for 2000 and 6.6 per cent per year for the period
2001–2016 (following EEPCo methodology for forecasting electricity demand) is assumed.
Urban population growth rate was assumed to be the same as used by the Central Statistical
Authority.
The analysis is based on a system load factor of 60 per cent throughout the WSDP planning
horizon, based on the present level of the EEPCo system load factor.
Size of the largest unit in the ICS is 60 MW for 2002–2006 and 75 MW for 2007–2016.
Existing plants will continue to deliver at least the same level of output as in 2000.
Neighboring countries will continue to express an interest in power trade with Ethiopia;
namely, the Sudan, Djibouti, and some NBI member countries.
As far as possible, previous experience with similar projects has been used to draw up the
investment schedule. With respect to costs of newly identified projects for which cost
indications were not available from previous studies, cost estimates were developed based on
records of costs actually incurred or estimated for similar projects in various studies. Table 7-
6 shows estimated costs that have been used for some categories of hydropower development
projects.
(d) Study of Koka dam and reservoir support schemes (raising of dam height and diversion to an
alternative reservoir).
(e) Database development and management at the Federal level, by the MoWR.
The selected projects themselves have been categorized into ongoing and planned projects. Ongoing
hydropower development projects exist at the Federal level and they are well known. Consequently,
all details including the investment amount, the project duration, and foreign and local currency
requirements are better known for this category of projects. Also, some of the planned projects have
been included in the short-term development programs of implementing agencies because details for
those projects are fairly well known. The investment figures shown for less known projects are
estimated based mostly on experience with comparable projects.
At the Regional level, data on costs of hydroelectricity production for studied sites are not available.
The choice of sites for further study has been left to the Regional Governments themselves. The
current HDP investment plan is thus limited to an indication of sites to be studied in various regions
during the program period. This limitation has been further restricted to those regions that have
provided the names of sites that have already been studied to some extent.
The main reason for the steep difference in share of investment between Federal and Regional
projects is the cost of construction of Gilgel Gibe, Tekeze, Gojeb, Finchaa IV, and hydropower
projects that are included under Federal projects. They are ongoing and committed projects. The
construction cost of those projects accounts for about 96 per cent of the total investment requirement
for Federal and Regional projects for the 15-year period.
In comparison, the costs of small hydro plant construction in various regions amount to only US$ 18
million. The level of investment on small hydro construction is limited by the fact that feasibility
studies of small hydro schemes have yet to be undertaken. Thereafter, construction can commence at a
realistic rate of a maximum of 1 site every 3 years.
Studies at Federal and Regional levels account for a total of US$ 49.7 million (or 2.5 per cent of the
total investment requirement) for the 15-year program period. Tables 7-8 and 7-9 present further
details on investment plans at the Federal and Regional levels, respectively. Yearly investment
schedules are presented both for short- and medium-terms, but only indicative lump sum figures are
shown for the long-term planning horizon.
The first priority goes to the study projects because these studies would provide essential basis for
sustainable hydropower generation. External assistance would be required for study projects in the
HDP at both Federal and Regional Government level. They would amount to US$ 59.7 million over
the 15-year program; US$ 7.8 million alone during the short term planning horizon.
The second priority goes to the implementation of projects identified under the NBISAP. These
projects are part of an international commitment. The financing requirement for NBISAP project
construction is about US$ 378 million, all in the long term.
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Construction of regional hydropower projects are classified as third in order of investment priority.
The financing requirement for regional construction is about US$ 18 million, all in the medium- and
long-terms. Regions would not probably have the financial capacity to undertake small hydro plant
construction at their own, and would strongly depend upon external assistance.
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Table 7-8. Annual investment schedule for Federal hydropower plan (US$ millions)
Table 7-8. Annual investment schedule for Federal hydropower plan (US$ millions) continued
Table 7-9. Annual investment schedule for regional hydropower plan (US$ millions)
Chapter 8
Water Resources Development Program
The term Water Resources Development Program (WRDP) is used here to describe a subsector like
the 3 other subsectors of the WSDP that have subsectoral development programs--water supply and
sewerage, irrigation and hydropower. The WRDP, however, is unlike the other 3, which conceptualize
their subsectors as single commodities. In contrast, the WRDP as a subsector covers actions that are
multi-sectoral in nature and not covered in the other subsectors. It deals with hydrology, meteorology,
surface water and groundwater resources, and preparation of integrated water-resources master plans
for river basins. Such activities as flood protection and watershed management are also embedded in
this subsector. The WRDP provides basis for the implementation of other subsectoral programs, in
terms of data and information resources, execution of multipurpose projects, and technical services
such as quality standards. In summary, it is an integrated discipline dedicated to optimizing the varied
uses of country’s water resources.
8.1 Goals
The principal goal of the WRDP is promote conditions for sustainable development and management
country’s water resources so as to maximize economic and social benefits from available water
resources, while ensuring that basic human needs are met and the environment is protected. Towards
this goal, the WRDP attempts to target the following specific objectives.
(a) Assess and develop the country’s surface water and groundwater resources and promote
optimal utilization for diverse uses.
(d) Protect water resources from pollution through development and enforcement of appropriate
mechanisms and standards.
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Ethiopia has submitted single-purpose and multipurpose projects in irrigation and hydroelectric power
to ENCP. The irrigation projects will cover a total of 174,000 ha. The hydropower projects have a
combined installed capacity of 2,473 MW. At a recent meeting of the International Consortium for
Cooperation on the Nile (ICCON–CG), the World Bank announced that it is ready to allocate US$
140 million to start with for common projects. The projects submitted by the Ethiopian Government
are described in greater detail in later sections.
Flood Protection
Regional Projects
(a) Hydrology
The program calls for upgrading of some river-gauging stations with such equipment as remote
sensing (telemetric) stations to enable acquisition of timely data. Such stations may serve as a source
of vital information for early warning in the event of floods. The information could be useful both for
internal purposes and for neighboring countries, especially Sudan which recently experienced high
floods from the Blue Nile River during the Ethiopian rainy season. With Sudan and Ethiopia
cooperating in economic and social projects, early warning on flood risks could form a vital element
among the joint activities. In order to be able to supply timely hydrological information, researchers
need up-to-date technology for analysis, storage, and retrieval of hydrological data. Computerization
of hydrological data analysis and storage will be conducted early in the short-term of WSDP. During
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the plan period, river-flow measuring stations will be expanded and old stations upgraded in order to
improve capacity to collect reliable hydrological data. Two basic types of measuring stations will be
installed: automatic recording (primary stations) and non-recording (secondary stations). This
program will include:
Installation of 150 new automatic recording stations at various rivers and lakes during the
short, medium, and long terms of WSDP; i.e., 50 during each term or 10 per year.
Installation of 124 new non-recording stations at various rivers and lakes: 50 stations in short
and medium terms and 24 in the long term.
Complete computerization of hydrological data storage and processing in the short term of the
program period.
(b) Meteorology
According to the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for
geographical distribution of meteorological stations, 5,500 weather stations of different classes would
be needed for adequate countrywide coverage of Ethiopia. Only 795 weather stations are currently
operating, including non-NMSA units. The resource requirements to close the gap and meet WMO
recommendations are too high for the Government to afford at present. Therefore, a smaller number is
proposed in the WRDP. Older stations will also be rehabilitated, to improve the reliability of data they
collect. Site selection for new stations will center around activities associated with food-security
issues, such as early warning of flood occurrence and agrometeorological information on weather
affecting crop production. Priority will also be given to weather stations for new airports that will
provide aeronautical weather information for enhanced aviation safety. Key elements of this
component are:
Installation of 745 stations of different classes: 210 in the short term, 235 in the medium term,
and 300 in the long term.
Establishment and strengthening of 8 regional branch offices to improve the efficiency and
quality of data collection and analysis.
In each of the 5-year terms of WSDP, many of the staff will be trained to help cope with the
expanded activities (costs of this component are reflected under chapter on institutions and
capacity building).
critically needed to help mitigate the effects of drought and reduce the risks of overexploitation.
Detailed information on groundwater resources in all parts of the country is an essential element of
the Water Management Policy and an objective of the WSDP. The Ethiopian Geological Survey
(EGS) is responsible for studying and mapping groundwater resources countrywide. EGS has
investigated groundwater resources and prepared maps for an area of 445,700 square kilometers at
scales of 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000. EGS plans to continue its survey work and mapping with data
and information from its own drilling program and other sources. Key features of this study are
proposed to be as follows:
Assessment of groundwater resources available for sustainable exploitation both in time and
space.
Hydrogeological mapping covers only about 40 per cent of the country with maps scaled at
1:1,000,000 and 1:250,000. Remaining area is proposed to be covered under this program.
EGS has only 9 hydrogeologists. This program plans to train 30 more hydrogeologists and 11
geophysicists at the MSc level and in specialized courses, including five chemists. Much of
this training will take place during the short term (costs are reflected under chapter on
institutions and capacity building).
It may be noted that the EGS groundwater assessment program consists of 3 phases of 5 years each.
Phase I will last for 5 years. Phases II and III will each last 4 and 3 years, respectively, thus
concluding the assessment in 12 years. Financing has been committed only for the first 5 years. Six
“type areas” have been selected for detailed hydrogeological study based on hydrogeological setting,
data availability, and socio-economic requirements. EGS performs its own drilling.
Studies on flood protection and river training programs for the Awash River.
Detailed study to identify the causes of flooding along the shores of Lake Tana and
recommendations to prevent recurrence.
Awash River. Annual floods in the valley cause considerable damage to economic infrastructure,
especially in the Middle and Lower Awash areas. As a stopgap measure, flood-protection activities in
those areas will be reactivated and strengthened primarily to protect economic infrastructure. The
operations and maintenance units that used to exist at two locations (Amibara and Dubti) will be re-
established. The strengthening program includes procurement of equipment for maintaining protective
dikes and for river training and stabilizing watercourses. The 2 units also need additional manpower,
at least 2 engineers and 3 aide engineers with support personnel, at each location.
Lake Awassa. The level of Lake Awassa has gradually risen, causing damage to infrastructure in
Awassa town. Construction of a dike between the lake and the town has not contained the floods.
Proposals for remedial measures, to be based on detailed study of the causes of the rising water level,
are considered essential. Detailed technical and environmental studies to elucidate the nature of the
rising lake levels have been conducted. Tentative flood protection proposals include using lake water
for irrigation and recharging aquifers connected to nearby water bodies at lower levels than Lake
Awassa. This proposal together with other pilot activities proposed by these studies will be
undertaken under this program.
Lake Bessica. Lake Besseka, located near Metahara town, has been growing in size and causing
problems on the railroad and the Assab highway. It has also inundated some sugarcane plantation and
grazing areas in the vicinity. The lake water is highly saline. The Government has designed a scheme
for controlling the rising level of the lake and partially reclaiming the inundated farmland and grazing
area. According to the plan, enough lake water will be pumped into the Awash River to keep the lake
at a level that will not affect the railway track and the highway. If the rate of pumping is controlled,
the addition of the lake water will not raise the salinity of river water to a level unsafe for irrigation
downstream. Implementation of this proposal constitute an important element of the present program.
Koka Dam heightening. Koka Dam provides the only control of the Awash River for supplying water
for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation at the three power stations on the river and to
prevent flooding of farmlands in the upper and middle valleys. The reservoir has silted up, resulting in
loss of 40 per cent of its original capacity. The amount of water available for downstream use is
severely reduced and Koka reservoir no longer has a flood-control capacity. In the previous Awash
Valley master-plan study, it was proposed to raise the Koka Dam height to increase its capacity to
provide water for downstream irrigation, hydropower development, and flood control. The planned
Awash study within the master-plan study will further investigate heightening of the Koka Dam from
E.C. 1998 to 2000.
comparative study on the advantages of water transfer could help to optimize water utilization in the
country.
The Ethiopian Water Resources Management Policy has clearly stated that the water sector has the
responsibility to “Develop water quality criteria, guidelines and standards … and to formulate water
quality standards … for effluents to be discharged into natural watercourses ... and to ensure their
implementation ...” To fulfill those requirements, the MoWR is preparing a set of national water-
quality guidelines that will specify the quality of drinking water and effluent water-quality standards
from industrial and irrigation drainage. To be able to monitor fulfillment of those standards, the
present program will support the establishment of: (a) one central water quality laboratory, (b) eight
regional water quality laboratories, and (c) strengthening of the pollution control unit with relevant
equipment and staff for Addis Ababa City Administration.
The Shared Vision Program comprises a range of activities to set up coordination and create an
environment of mutual trust to enhance implementation of projects of common interest. Projects
selected by individual riparian countries will be implemented through subsidiary action programs. The
projects selected by the Ethiopian Government and accepted by the NBI Council of Ministers consist
of 4 hydropower and 4 irrigation projects. (See table 8-1.)
The main consumer of future hydroelectric output is expected to be the Sudan. However, that
country’s power needs are not yet known or established, so it is problematic to set a realistic
implementation plan. In this case, WSDP implementation schedule can be considered indicative at
best. The schedules may serve to indicate the magnitude of investment, if not the actual time frame.
Angar–Nekemt Irrigation Project. Located in the Angar River Basin, the project will construct 2
impounding dams on the upper reaches of the river. The total area to be developed for irrigation is
26,000 ha. A hydropower plant may also be developed there with an installed capacity of 15 to 20
MW for the Nekemte area.
Diddessa Irrigation Project. Located in the Diddessa Basin in Western Wollega Zone, this project
will construct 3 regulation dams: 1 on Diddessa River and 1 each on its tributaries, the Dabana and
Negeso Rivers. Irrigation canals and drainage systems will need to be constructed to irrigate a total
area of 55,000 ha. A small hydropower plant can be developed with an installed capacity of 22 MW at
the dam planned for the Diddessa River.
Humera Irrigation Project. The Humera Irrigation Project is situated in Tekeze Basin, near the town
of Humera on the left bank of the river. With the construction of the Tekeze dam for hydropower, the
regulated flow of the river will ensure adequate flow for irrigation development in the Humera area.
The construction of a diversion weir upstream of the area will make irrigation water available by
gravity. The total gross estimated area available for irrigation is 45,000 ha.
Geba Hydropower Plants. Located in the Baro-Akobo Basin on a tributary of the Baro River, the 2
power plants are cascade schemes drawing water from the same regulating dam. The two power plants
will each have a diversion weir and power plant in series on the Geba River. Geba 1 and Geba 2
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power plants will have a total combined gross head of 702 m. The two plants will have a combined
capacity of 254 MW. Both plants are designed as underground schemes.
Birbir A & Birbir B Hydropower Projects. Also located in the Baro-Akobo Basin, on the Birbir River
which is a tributary of the Baro River, the 2 dams will be in series, each with a hydropower plant.
Their combined capacity will be 508 MW.
Karadobi Hydropower Project. One of the 4 major hydropower plants planned for the main stem of
the Blue Nile River, the Karadobi plant will be located at the toe of the dam. The dam will be a high
concrete arch dam with a reservoir capacity of 41 billion cubic meters. The installed capacity will be
about 1,050 MW with an annual average energy production capacity of 6,920 GWh. The estimated
unit cost of energy of 5.7 US¢/kWh is attractive for project development. Regulation of the Blue Nile
(Abbay) River with the dam will benefit the downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt. The Sudan
will benefit most from flood control and from irrigation and power generation at Roseires Dam.
Support to institutional and legislative reform component of the irrigation and drainage
development subproject.
Undertaking of a erosion and sediment study that will investigate and determine the impacts
of control measures against soil erosion in the project areas.
Assistance in undertaking studies and rationalizing polices dealing with population, education
and literacy, alternative livelihoods and out-migration, and carrying capacity and population
density.
Following unit prices of equipment and stations are used in local currency (Birr): staff gauge
water-level recorder (4,000), float type (30,000), digital (50,000), bank-operated cable-way
(7,000) and installation cost per station (4,000).
Based on above unit prices, estimated cost of each type of station is: 15,000 Birr for non-
recording stations, 45,000 Birr for float type automatic recording stations, and 65,000 Birr for
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digital automatic recording stations. All new primary stations will be equipped with the
digital type of stage recorders.
EGS has developed financing needs for the first phase of groundwater assessment study.
These estimates are used, and prorate estimates have been made to obtain investment needs
for the other phases. Equipment procured in the first phase is assumed to be available for the
other phases.
For Bessica Lake works, the least-cost alternative designed and estimated by WWDSE was
used. Its cost is Birr 15,410,000. Construction is assumed to begin in 1994 E.C. and would
complete within 2 years.
Cost estimates for laboratories were estimated based on record of costs actually involved or
estimated for similar activities in various studies.
For the Nile Basin projects, funds will be committed to advance these projects to feasibility
and design stage, and to implementation of watershed management projects. Once the studies
and designs are completed, funding for implementation might become available, pending
agreement among member countries. However, funding of US$ 400 million has been
earmarked for the subprograms listed under watershed management.
Federal Projects
On-going Projects
Hydrology (stream gauging stations) 0.39 0.39 0.32 1.10
Meteorological stations 1.29 1.42 2.10 4.80
Planned Projects
Integrated WR Master Plans 17.13 6.94 24.07
La ke Tana Flood Study 1.13 1.13
Awash Valley Flood Study 1.51 1.51
Besseka Lake Control Works 1.81 1.81
Watershed Management 100.00 150.00 150.00 400.00
Ground Water Resources Assessment 4.56 1.36 1.36 7.29
Awash Valley Emergency Flood Control 4.31 0.00 0.00 4.31
Central Water Quality Laboratory 1.34 0.00 0.00 1.34
Federal Total 133.63 160.11 153.78 446.83
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Regional Projects
Gambella 0.18 0.29 0.47
Dire Dawa 7.94 12.25 5.65 25.84
Harari 8.59 19.10 11.47 39.16
Somali 13.02 15.29 22.94 51.25
SNNP 0.05 0.05
8 Regional Water Quality Laboratories 1.65 1.65
Addis Ababa City Administration 18.78 24.85 46.78 90.41
Regional total 50.21 71.78 86.84 208.74
Total: Federal and Regional 183.83 231.90 240.62 655.59
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Total Federal Projects 6.538 7.847 37.161 40.526 41.548 133.63 35.031 32.325 30.796 30.639 30.64 159.43 153.77 446.83
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Table 8-4. Annual investment schedule of Regional projects ($US millions)
Table 8-4. Annual investment schedule of Regional projects ($US millions) ….continued
Chapter 9
Institution- and Capacity-Building Program
Proclamation No. 197/2000, the Ethiopian Water Resources Management Proclamation, was issued in
March 2000. It assigned certain key functions — regulatory duties, responsibilities, and authority —
among the various agencies concerned with the water sector. It superseded Proclamation No. 92/1994
that provided provisions for utilization of water resources. That latter proclamation remains
inapplicable, in any case, since the relevant Government agency, the Ministry of Natural Resources
Development and Environmental Protection, no longer existed.
Proclamation No. 197/2000 declares that “All water resources of the country are the common property
of the Ethiopian people and the State.” It gives MoWR the authority to allocate and apportion water to
all regions regardless of the origin and location of the resource. The proclamation lists a wide range of
the following regulatory tasks among MoWR powers and duties (see Panel 9-1).
(b) Ensure that studies relating to water resources development, protection, utilization and control
have been carried out.
(c) Determine the allocation and manner of use of water resources among various uses and users.
(d) Require submission of plans and proposals from any persons who apply for a permit to
undertake any kind of waterworks and approve, reject, or amend such plans and proposals.
(e) Establish quality standards for surveys, design and specification of waterworks as well as
standards for the construction of waterworks, necessary for the development of water
resources; it shall also supervise compliance of waterworks with the established standards.
(f) Prepare directives, in consultation with public bodies concerned, in order to ensure that water
resources are not polluted and hazardous to health and environment.
(g) Issue directives pertaining to the safety of hydraulic structures for the prevention of damages
(h) Cause, in consultation with the public bodies concerned, the issuance of quality or health
standards that enable it to entertain an application for a permit to discharge or release polluted
water into water resources.
(j) Issues directives, regarding water use restrictions in a situation of water shortage emergency,
and supervise the implementation of same.
2. The Supervising body may, where necessary, delegate its powers and duties to the appropriate
body for efficient execution of its duties.
There still appears to be some overlap between the water-sector regulatory tasks stipulated for MoWR
and those stipulated for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). By Article 6 of Proclamation
No. 9/1995, for example, the EPA became responsible for protecting the water resources of the
country. A review of the current institutional responsibilities strongly suggests that distinction
between the tasks assigned to different institutions must be clarified or the incompatible articles
repealed.
Proclamation No. 41/1993 grants Regional Governments regulatory powers that includes small-scale
hydropower. In addition, the following provision of that proclamation empowers the Regions to:
(a) Supervise the implementation within the regions, of purity and sanitation standards prescribed
in relation to the water used for various services and sewerage purposes.
(b) Supervise the balanced distribution and utilization of region’s water resources to various types
of services.
(c) Ensure the implementation of law, regulations and directives issued in relation to the
protection, conservation and utilization of water in the region.
Existing Federal institutions directly or indirectly involved in the management of water resources are:
MoWR, EPA, Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation (EEPCo), Ethiopian Electric Light and Power
Authority, Ministry of Works and Urban Development, Ministry of Health, the Water Supply and
Sewerage Authority (WSSA) of Addis Ababa, and the Addis Ababa Municipality. In addition, there
are some subsidiary organizations of the MoWR that are engaged in different aspects of water
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resources planning, development and management, namely: Ethiopian Water Works Construction
Enterprise (EWWCE), Water Well Drilling Enterprise (WWDE), Water Works Design & Supervision
Enterprise (WWDSE), and the Awash Basin Authority.
Most Regional Governments have established bureaus of water, mines and energy or bureaus of water
resources development. All bureaus have branch offices or departments. Some Regions have
established such specialized institutions as waterworks construction enterprises, commissions for
sustainable agriculture and environmental rehabilitation, and/or irrigation authorities.
The Ethiopian water-resources management policy specifies that urban water-supply services be
recognized as autonomous entities. Currently, however, some are autonomous and others are
organized under bureaus or branch offices.
(b) Management problems. Such problems are typically caused by inefficient organizational
structure, understaffing, and underequipping; lack of organizational units at the lowest levels like
woreda and zones that could cater to local needs; absence of career paths for staff; low salaries
and lack of staff motivation; and inability of the Government to retain trained and experienced
staff.
(c) Lack of institutional coordination. Major stakeholders in water-sector activities include MoWR,
Regional water bureaus, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local communities, and the
private sector. However, no structural and coordinated linkages exist among them, even between
the two key institutions: MoWR and the water bureaus. Poor institutional coordination often
defeats the efforts to achieve sectoral goals.
(d) Problems of capacity. Shortage of skilled manpower is the critical issue facing all institutions.
Every regional government has identified this constraint as the most limiting in the fulfillment of
its 5-year plan. Moreover, inadequate office and equipment facilities, including insufficient
vehicles, further compound the nature of problem.
(e) Limited funds/budget. Water-sector development projects require a high level of investment.
Lack of sufficient funding has imposed limits on the quantity and quality of outputs and services
of the sector. Moreover, lack of effective cost-recovery mechanisms often inhibits institutions
from sustaining themselves and fulfilling their mandates.
(f) Lack of an integrated management information system (MIS). Water-sector institutions generate
and utilize a wide range of data. Nevertheless, the sector lacks a centralized and integrated MIS.
There are no standard procedures for gathering and storing of data and information, as well as
deficiencies in regional institutions at all levels in keeping proper data and information records.
(g) Weaknesses in O&M systems. Considerable drawbacks exist in managing, operating, and
maintaining facilities, especially in rural areas. Several water supply and sanitation services are
not functioning in almost every region. Operations and maintenance usually have a “low profile”
and are underfunded and underequipped, in comparison with design and construction functions.
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(h) Absence of equipment standardization. Several NGOs help rural communities in constructing
and developing water supply and irrigation schemes, installing various types of pumps and
generators. When equipment items begin to fail, the communities often face difficulty in finding
replacements or spare parts. Standardizing equipment specifications should therefore be on the
development agenda of the water sector.
(i) Low community participation. Sectoral assessments indicate a low level of community
participation in project identification, construction, and O&M of schemes. Participatory and
consultative approaches with stakeholders are key to effective and responsive development
activities.
(j) Policy and legislative issues. Enabling legislation appears to be missing from such issues as
formation of water users’ associations (WUAs); cost recovery; O&M, and administration of
schemes; and water-use rights of downstream and upstream consumers. Mandates and
responsibilities are not clearly delineated between Federal Government agencies and Regional
bureaus regarding water-quality management, collection and analysis of hydrological data, and
other similar functions. Regarding sewerage, lines of responsibility are unclear between the
MoWR and Federal and Regional health and sanitation agencies, and--at Regional level--
between bureaus of water resources, urban water supply services, municipalities, and health
bureaus. Similarly, land tenure is another area that requires legislative action. The 1975 land
reform proclamation conferred land ownership on the State, which may in turn grant land-use
rights to individuals and associations. Land may be reallocated by the State as it deems
necessary. Security of land tenure is not guaranteed, even in areas under small-scale irrigation. In
the absence of legal guarantees against reallocation or outright eviction, farmers might be
discouraged from investing in permanent structures on the land during their tenure.
In water supply and sewerage, the most prevalent constraints in all regions are: (a) shortage of skilled
manpower at all administrative levels; (b) community participation is low in the formulation and
implementation of development programs; (c) insufficient capacities in terms of equipment and other
material resources. Moreover, sanitation issues are not properly addressed. The most recurrent
sanitation problems involve solid wastes, industrial wastes, and urban sewerage. Institutions with a
mandate to address these problems are the WSSA of Addis Ababa, regional urban water-supply
services, MoWR, and municipalities (for solid waste). They are, however, not fully capable of
tackling the existing problems.
The irrigation subsector has been frequently subject to restructuring and reorganization. The result is
institutional instability and uncertainty that deter capacity building. Institutional ineffectiveness, high
investment requirements, manpower shortages, and insufficient equipment and machinery also plague
the subsector. No governmental unit exists to coordinate, monitor, supervise, or regulate subsectoral
activities and to foster sound policy related to agriculture. Similarly, at the woreda level, there is no
effective administrative unit to provide guidance in operating and maintaining irrigation systems for
farming communities. NGO involvement in the subsector has not effectively shifted from a relief
orientation to a development basis. Capacity for coordinating, monitoring, and supervising
multipurpose projects is lacking. Further constraints to irrigation development stem from low levels of
private-sector involvement, owing to a poor environment for private ownership and due to a lack of
economic incentives in the form of agricultural credit.
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Major constraints in the hydropower subsector are shortage of skilled manpower, lack of funds for
investment, inadequate private-sector involvement as a result of lack of incentives.
Irrigation development
Flood control
Transboundary affairs
The other water-sector institutions requiring strengthening at Federal level is the WSSA of Addis
Ababa. Institutional structure to deal with sanitation issues needs particular attention. At Federal level,
only water-dependant sewerage is covered by WSSA. They are not responsible for solid waste,
industrial waste, and all other non-water-dependent sanitation that affects the quality of ground and
surface waters. The following institutions need to work together at the Federal level to perform
sanitation-related responsibilities. Important step forward would be bringing harmony in the functions
and responsibilities of these organizations through a legal Decree.
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rivers. Linkages with other institutions and programs should be studied to ensure effective
outcomes from shared sanitation responsibilities.
Ministry of Health together with the Ministry of Education and mass media should raise
awareness regarding hygiene and sanitation, from the health perspective.
Ministry of Water Resources should monitor and supervise quality and other standards in
partnership with other stakeholders.
Municipalities should play a leading role in waste collection and monitoring in collaboration
with the urban dwellers’ associations. The municipalities should also encourage private-sector
involvement and should facilitate waste-collection operations by the private sector.
The national water management policy rightly states that the basin should be considered as the basic
planning unit for development and management of water resources. It is so because the basin
approach promotes comprehensive development of a large area rather than fragmented development
interventions. Decentralized management requires basin level organizations. It will be unrealistic to
assume that the MoWR will be able to perform the functions of decentralized water resources
management. Neither it has the capacities, nor will it be appropriate for the Ministry as a policy and
regulatory institution to indulge itself into implementation of water resources development and
management activities. Accordingly, the present program proposes the establishment of the following
7 basin development authorities:
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The rationale for such a distribution of authorities is the scale of resources involved. The Blue Nile,
Baro Akobo, and Omo Give rivers hold immense water resources; together they command from 80 to
90 per cent of all water resources countrywide. The Awash basin merits an independent authority
because of the relatively advanced level of the existing organization and its operations. The remaining
authorities would be composed of basin groupings that are geographically continguous or close to
each other. They would be responsible for flood control, irrigation, hydropower development, water
supply, and allocation of water to various end users.
Each basin authority is proposed to have 4 technical departments: 2 planning and programming
departments and 2 support units. Directing each authority would be a Water Resources Management
Council (WRMC) for decision-making in all policy and legal matters. In addition, the council would
give general guidance and evaluate the performance of the basin authority and ensure participation of
the stakeholders. Composition of the WRMC is proposed as follows:
MoWR Chairman
Chamber of Commerce Member
Community representatives Members
EEPCo Member
EPA Member
Ministry of Agriculture Member
Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation Member
Ministry of Mines and Energy Member
Regional councils within each basin Members
Women’s representatives (to be determined) Members.
For successful WSDP implementation, a sound and comprehensive information system is needed at
Federal and local levels: the Ethiopian water resources information center (EWRIC). This set-up
should be established according to the national management policy document that has established
clear guidelines for this purpose. It unambiguously states that a management information system,
monitoring, assessment, and auditing are a prerequisite for proper water resources management.
National policy also envisages a “practical, coherent, well-designed and smoothly functioning
Ethiopian water resources information system (EWRIS)” that would deal with computerized and
networked database on all aspects of water resources. Main functions of the EWRIC will be to:
Collect or acquire, process, analyze, report, store, retrieve, and disseminate water-related data
and metadata.
Support and provide services for MoWR technical departments, regional bureaus, water
resources subsectors, and other related institutions as well as communities. It would also
provide services for the managerial, regulatory, and supervisory bodies of stakeholders.
Contribute towards improving the quality of decision making in the water sector.
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As discussed above (section 9.2.2), one of the major problems of the water sector is insufficient
numbers of qualified technical manpower. The water sector lacks specialized training institutes to
foster professional skills and attitudes through short-term and on-the-job training and workshops.
While enough water-related training institutions exist to do the job, they need strengthening in terms
of manpower, facilities, and curricular materials and their objectives. Following are the leading
national institutions that provide general training in various aspects of water resources.
These academic organizations could play a key role in training the human resources needed for
successful implementation of WSDP in the coming 15 years steps. A solid networking among these
institutions is proposed under some kind of umbrella arrangement to draw upon their expertise
towards bridging the capacity gaps. Towards this aim, the Kaliti Groundwater Investigation and Water
Supply Training Center can play an important function since it is planned to be upgraded into a
specialized water-sector training institute with the help of Japanese Government.
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At Regional level, a number of Government institutions that will be involved in the implementation of
WSDP are: the Water, Mines, and Energy Bureau (WMEB), the Bureau of Agriculture (BoA),
Commission for Sustainable Agriculture and Environmental Rehabilitation (CoSAER), the Bureau of
Planning and Economic Development, the Bureau of Health, Bureau of Works and Urban
Development, Urban Water Supply Services, Irrigation Authority, and Small-Scale Hydropower
Development Units. The private sector, NGOs and local communities will be the other important
partners. Regional WMEBs are a combination of offices for the water, mines, and energy sectors,
indicating that the water sector is represented at a departmental level in those regions. Such a status
tends to lower the level of authority accorded to the water sector. To make the implementation of
WSDP more effective, the existing set-up should be reorganized so that the water sector is represented
as an independent bureau. A detailed study should be conducted to examine this proposal.
Linkages between Federal and Regional water-sector institutions need further clarification and
institutionalization, because regional development is an integral part of the management of the whole
sector. Also, individual communities and private sector elements have vital contributions to make
together with the public partners to sustain the impact of water supply schemes at the regional level.
The Government and regional bureaus thus need to work together as how to promote the privatization
of water services, and what sort of incentives need to be put in place.
Sustainability of water-supply schemes, inter-alia, depends on a committed and motivated work force
and a sufficient supply of spare parts. The later issue further supports the need for privatization of
services. Motivation of staff with improved pay and other benefits is the key to retaining the required
caliber of professionals. Some of the regions need a better payment structure as compared to others, as
suggested by the level of their socioeconomic development. That might be so for Gambella,
Benishangul-Gumuz, Somali, Afar, and some others.
There is no justification whatsoever for the existence of 2 separate agricultural institutions at the
Regional level: BoA and CoSAER. Any governmental agency for agriculture should work for both
sustainability and rehabilitation of the system. It is therefore proposed that these two offices be
integrated and share resources for the same objectives, focusing on the structure for implementing
agricultural development and not on content. Most of the activities of the CoSAER could be
privatized and regional government could focus on policy, standards, and regulatory aspects of
development efforts.
Implementation of WSDP at local level will greatly benefit from the participation of women, since
they are generally responsible for domestic water provision and management countrywide. Similarly,
the NGOs have an important role in water resources management and development. To-date their
technical and financial assistance have been limited to provision of manpower, equipment, and other
resources to Regional WMEBs, mainly for emergency and relief works. Implementation of WSDP
requires more proactive role from the NGOs. Private investment has played no significant role in
addressing the sectoral concerns, mainly because of the central command economy that dominated the
country for many years until 1990. New partnerships with the private sector could help boost the
economic performance of the water sector in several ways, by building capacity in planning, design,
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construction, and operation and maintenance activities and in mobilizing new resources for
development.
9.4 Capacity-building
Limited technical capacities in the water sector inhibit sustainable development and management of
country water resources. Outcomes and sustainability of WSDP investments would thus very much
depend upon how quickly the country would be able to bridge the capacity gaps. Capacity constraints
are so serious that only a very big leap in this direction will help to set the priorities and directions
right. Within the context of WSDP, capacity building concerns development of skilled manpower and
other technical capacities that are required for achievement of planned objectives and targets in each
subsector. Accordingly, it involves:
Creation of an enabling environment that includes a legal and regulatory framework, together
with those required for enforcement of policy and strategy.
Provision of inputs in the form of machinery and equipment, infrastructure (construction) and
finance.
Historically, the water sector like other sectors has mostly relied on external sources of funding,
technical expertise, and material inputs. However, long-term sustainability and continuity of the
activities depend very much on local funding of essential components. In general, capacity building
should not be limited to governmental efforts but to private business as well, and the communities that
benefit from such a program. Hence, the following capacity-building interventions are proposed as
part of the WSDP. It may be noted that to initiate the implementation of WSDP does not have to wait
for capacity building to take place first. On the contrary, capacity building is viewed as a parallel
activity to the other WSDP interventions. In the short-term, however, this component will receive
much more focused attention to strengthen the following capacities.
Human resource development: Training programs to develop the human resources for the water sector
will be implemented throughout the 15-year WSDP period abroad as well as in the country. Trained
manpower will help to improve the quality of decision-making, technical performance, and efficiency
in planning and operations at Federal, Regional, and local levels. Local training centers could play
important role in fulfilling the planned target for the most common types of training required.
Overseas training will cover subject areas that are not offered in the local training institutions.
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Financial capacity: Water-sector projects by nature require large investments. Lack of adequate
funding and budget constraints have posed barriers to sectoral development. To improve the financial
capacity of the sector, mechanisms will have to be established to generate funds for small-scale
development. Establishment of a revolving fund and levying water use charges are some of the
options. See chapter 13 for more discussion on this issue. Capacity to generate funds for program use
will enhance the overall sustainability of WSDP investments.
Standardization of equipment: Many NGOs launch rural water-supply schemes and furnish the pumps
and other equipment. When breakdowns occur, spare parts are usually difficult to obtain. To avoid
that and other problems associated with the range of equipment used in different projects, standards
for the types and accessories of pumps to be used countrywide will be promoted. The regions should
provide advice about local conditions to the central bodies responsible for setting the standards and
putting the established standards into practice.
Equipment and facilities: Most regional water bureaus must upgrade their equipment and facilities in
order to discharge their responsibilities. The program elements in greatest need of upgrading are labs
for water-quality testing, vehicles, generators, pumps, and tools for operations and maintenance.
Investment requirements for the institutional and capacity building plan presented above are shown in
table 9.1. The total plan will cost about $US 218 million over 15 years period. Regional share
constitutes about 89 per cent of the total investment plan. About 43 per cent of the plan requirements
need to be met in the short-term planning horizon. The remaining amount will be distributed almost
equally during the medium- and long-term plan periods.
These figures however should be interpreted with caution. Unlike other sectors, where either the unit
costs were available or there were bases to update the project costs or comparable cost estimates were
available from other similar studies, cost parameters used here reflect quite a bit of subjectivity.
Regional investment plans were primarily developed by the regions themselves using a common
format of components, based on their needs assessment, and have been reflected as such into the total
investment plan.
Institutional and capacity building financial needs constitute only 3 per cent of the total investment
requirements for the WSDP. Looking from another perspective, average annual requirements are
estimated to be $US 14.5 million. Given the massive needs for capacity building, and the fact that 10
regions and Federal Government will have to share this amount among themselves, investment figures
presented here do not appear to be overly estimated.
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Table 9-1. Investment plan for institution and capacity building under WSDP ($US 000)
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Table 9-1. Investment plan for institution and capacity building under WSDP ($US 000) continued
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Table 9-1. Investment plan for institution and capacity building under WSDP ($US 000) continued
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Chapter 10
Physical and Investment Plans: An Overview
Chapters 5 through 9 presented in detail various subsectoral plans. Each chapter started with the
targets to be achieved over the planning horizon, methodology used to develop the plan, critical
assumptions employed in the analysis, how subsector specific issues were treated in the analysis,
leading finally to the description of physical program and assessment of investment requirements.
This chapter brings together main outputs together with their funding requirements to sum up the
overall investment picture.
Rural water supply: The coverage will grow from 23 to 71 per cent of the rural population by the
end of the WSDP planning horizon in 2016. This would entail the execution of following works.
222 subsurface dams, surface-water harvesting, river intakes, and like projects
Livestock watering. WSDP will provide for 10,761 ponds, cisterns, ground catchments and livestock
watering facilities.
Sewerage. WSDP will undertake studies and design work for 109 cities and towns, while construction
work will be carried out for 110 sewerage projects.
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A total of 274 river-flow measuring stations and 745 meteorological stations will be installed under
the WSDP. The additional meteorological stations will bring the number of stations at national level
to half the standards prescribed by the World Meteorological Organization. Assessment of
groundwater resources will be completed.
Federal institutional structure will be strengthened, especially with the reorganization of the
MoWR.
In addition to seven Basin Authorities, three new centers/institutes will be established: Water
Resources Information Center; Water Resources Research Center; and a Water Resources
Training Institute.
Capacities of Regional institutions will be strengthened through training of their staff, and by
providing required equipment and facilities.
The WSDP will promote the involvement of important stakeholders such as women, NGOs,
private sector, local communities and water user associations in implementing various
components of the WSDP.
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Table 10-1. Summary of WSDP financial requirements, by Federal and Regional Governments
(in US$ million)
The recommended strategy for the short-term, which is aligned with the national development goals
and priorities, is to fund programs and projects that can help in building national and regional
capacities, securing food production, and meeting immediate infrastructural needs.
For the medium-term, investment is recommended in programs and projects that can maximize
growth in the financial and economic base for future investment, that will help develop sustainable
social and physical infrastructure and capacities for future growth.
In the long-term, investment should strengthen programs and projects that reduce regional disparities
and enhance the contribution of sector to the socio-economic development of the country.
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Irrigation
23%
Hydropower
39%
Water Resources
Ins/Capacity Buildinhg
26%
Water Supply &
3%
9% Sewerage
28%
41%
Short-term
Medium-term
Long-term
31%
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F ig u r e 1 0 .3 . F e d e r a l a n d R e g io n a l C o m p o s i t io n o f W S D P
3500
3000
2500
$US million
2000 F e d era l
1500 R e g io n a l
1000
500
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SECTION III
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Chapter 11
Potential Social and Environmental Impacts
In order to maximize positive impacts and minimize or avoid negative impacts, the Government, in
line with its environmental and water sectors policies and legislation, commits itself to undertaking an
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the WSDP components. The analysis will identify,
predict, and evaluate both positive and negative impacts, and propose strategies to mitigate the
negative impacts. Such an action would provide an “effective means of harmonizing and integrating
environmental, economic, cultural, and social considerations into a decision-making process in a
manner that promotes sustainable development.”
This analysis will be undertaken for all major projects identified in the WSDP. Some of these
projects, especially those selected from the master plan studies, had already been subject to this kind
of analysis. In many cases, however, this analysis will require updating because conditions have
changed quite a bit since the master plan studies were completed. At some stage during the plan
period, each of the intervention proposed for various WSDP components will be transformed into a
specific project document--this will be the time when detailed impact assessment has to be under-
taken. Recognizing the need and importance for such analysis, this chapter highlights some potential
impacts of WSDP and its components in much broader terms, draws attention to some of the critical
issues that should be considered in the analysis, and provides a framework for undertaking
environmental and social impact analysis.
(a) Impacts on the water cycle. Project outcomes that involve water diversion (dams and reservoirs)
or major water use (irrigation schemes, water-supply facilities) may influence the water cycle itself
either through modification of the water regulation mechanisms (e.g., drainage of wetlands), stream
flow (water withdrawal or storage, water diversion) or climatic patterns (creation of new large water
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bodies) which can give rise to extreme natural hazards such as floods. The creation of new, large
water surfaces may increase evaporation and have impacts on the microclimate.
(b) Impacts on the water availability. The withdrawals on water bodies, especially groundwater
reserves (overpumping or overirrigation), may severely affect the water availability, in the short or the
long term, at the national or local level, over and beyond the planning horizon. If not prevented, they
may lead to irreversible and cumulative consequences (e.g., depletion of non-renewable aquifers).
Water abstraction may also affect the activities of downstream users who use the same water flow,
including other countries in the case of transboundary rivers. That might lead to severe user conflicts
that could exacerbate the seasonal variations in water supply. Such problems can be adequately
addressed through water allocation rights or permits.
(c) Impacts on the water quality. Depending on existing standards for water quality and quantity
flows and the way they are implemented, some of the WSDP activities (such as wastewater discharge
and industrial effluents) might result in emissions in water bodies of substances from either diffuse
(agriculture) or point (human settlements) sources that may, if discharged emissions rise above certain
thresholds, pollute the water and affect downstream activities. A key issue is the quality of water used
for human consumption. Pressure from heavy use can be exerted by human or animal settlements
around water points, as a result for instance of displacement imposed by large water projects. Dam
operations or other works could be severely affected if there is no legal framework to control
settlements and prevent adverse effects. Therefore, the WSDP and each of its subsectoral programs
will have to comply with national environmental legislation on water emissions and drinking-water
quality standards. Pollution of the rivers or other water bodies such as lakes might also have
cumulative effects such as sedimentary pollution by heavy metals or toxic wastes. High rates of water
withdrawal from aquifers may also affect their quality.
(d) Impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Changes in quantitative and qualitative water characteristics
may in turn reduce water allowance to ecological functions and environmental flows, especially under
low flow or drought. Major adverse transformations might be induced in the aquatic ecosystems. In
turn, modified aquatic ecosystems may interact with neighboring ecosystems in adverse ways. These
issues will be examined in detail at the time of project preparation.
Major changes in water quantity or quality, or water regulation, may affect the flora and fauna living
or dependent on aquatic ecosystems and create disturbance in the natural environment that threaten
the existence of indigenous species. For instance, dams can obstruct fish migration pathways and bar
the movement of wildlife. Irrigation often leads to loss in natural habitats (wetlands) and biodiversity.
The introduction of alien species in dams can also severely affect the population of endemic species.
Generally speaking, changed conditions may favor certain endemic species at the peril of others, in a
new balance of life.
Water development programs can also impact on human health--they can provide a favorable
environment for increase in the number of organisms that depend on water, or they can increase the
contact between human communities and those organisms, resulting in increased incidence in disease.
The transformation of both quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the water resources can
create or expand health risks due to the spread of water-borne diseases or the emission into the water
of toxic substances or bacteriological pollution, if water abstraction points are not protected.
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food security. In the same vein, equitable and ready access to clean water has a direct positive impact
on human health and an indirect one on labor productivity. However, poorly planned and managed
hydropower, irrigation, and water-supply schemes can also generate negative social impacts.
Ethiopia is also ecologically and socially diverse. It is therefore necessary that social equity or
distributional impacts of the program also be assessed in line with the country’s desire to promote
peace and harmony. Concretely, just as an environmental impact assessment measures the program
impact on threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species, the social impact assessment does
likewise with program impacts on vulnerable segments of the human population such as the poor, the
elderly, adolescents, the unemployed, women, and ethnic minorities. In doing so, however,
consideration is given to the different viewpoints and interests in the Ethiopian society, because they
shape people’s reactions either in favor of or against the WSDP.
At the subsectoral and project level, the following issues and variables will be considered in the social
impact analysis.
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How WSDP interventions will affect the population structure? Hydropower generation
and irrigation components of the WSDP will be assessed against population displacement,
induced growth of population at project site, potential conflict between new population
groups and the original inhabitants, changes in traditional lifestyle, and increased pressure on
natural resources. The disruption of production and livelihood systems of the displaced
population and the potential conflicts between them and their host communities will be
assessed too.
How the proposed WSDP activities will affect the community and institutional
structures? Not only new institutions are expected to emerge, but the WSDP implementation
will modify the existing ones. Interrelationships among these institutions and their interface
with local governments and the larger political systems to either enhance or impair the
achievement of WSDP objectives will be examined. Concretely, any proposed modification
of the water users’ associations and farmers’ co-operatives, for instance, to provide the social
organization for the management of irrigation water, will affect their efficiency and
effectiveness of the management system. The WSDP initiatives are likely to impact on
occupational structure and employment in the program areas. The nature of that impact will
also be determined at the subectoral program and project level.
How the WSDP will affect the distribution of power and authority? Impacts on leadership
capability and capacity within the communities will be assessed. In the specific case of the
Irrigation Development Program, lessons learned over the years in the shift from water users’
associations (in the 1980s) to the water committees (of the 1990s) would be useful in shaping
social organizations so that they would have adequate legitimacy and capacity for the
management of irrigation water. How that evolving power and authority structure interfaces
with the one that the decentralization policy has put in place will be assessed and acted upon
appropriately.
How the proposed interventions will enhance or impair the livelihoods of vulnerable and
marginalized social groups? At the subsectoral program and project level, attention will be
given to how WSDP’s proposed mechanisms for cost recovery in providing clean water and
irrigation, for instance, will affect the accessibility of the poor to those services. The viability
of the social tariff, provided for in the drinking-water supply policy as a means of enabling
poor communities to cover operation and maintenance cost, deserves careful consideration. In
the same vein, WSDP consider the women’s needs, especially regarding water for household
purposes. The special case of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the lowlands, which
constitute 56 per cent of the country’s land mass and support the livelihoods of 10 per cent of
the population, deserves careful consideration.
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Chapter 12
Program Implementation and Monitoring
The Water Sector Development Plan (WSDP) is a call for action addressed to the Federal and
Regional Governments, private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local communities
and individuals, and international development partners of Ethiopia. Implementation of WSDP is a
huge endeavor. Where should we begin? And how should we proceed? These two questions of the
implementation strategy are interrelated, and answers to these questions are provided in this chapter.
These answers grow out of the various subsectoral recommendations that are presented in earlier
chapters of Section II. The implementation strategy also takes into account the roadmap provided by
the national water-sector strategy.
Capitalize and build upon the existing institutional structure. New institutions should be
established only if extremely necessary and justifiable.
Ensure integrated implementation and strong coordination among all program components,
realizing that each of the program areas has its own specific, extension, communication, and
research components.
Tailor the program implementation to cope with funding constraints, if and when they
emerge.
View and implement resource mobilization efforts as part of the implementation strategy.
Rely on national expertise to deliver program outputs to the maximum possible extent, but
secure external technical assistance whenever it is necessary.
Set priorities and begin implementation from undisputed resource development and
management domains.
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Under the public sector-led approach, activities are usually carried out without the involvement of the
people for whom the services are provided or facilities are constructed. This unfortunately makes
people least concerned about sustainability of the services provided. The other serious problem with
this approach is that it does not allow communities to adjust their needs in the blueprints developed by
the public sector institutions.
Representative approach, driven under political considerations by the elected representatives, also has
some demerits. Representatives cannot plan and implement day-to-day economic activities of
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communities. At the same time, this approach is more often political rather than consensual, wheras
consensus is a pre-requisite of development at community level.
Both these approaches are not successful in reaching people and solving their problems. This may not
be due to their inefficient working, but to their implementation structure and mandates. The
participatory approach, on the other hand, encourages to make optimal use of grassroots opportunities.
The systems of local governments, development administration and resource mobilization remain
incomplete without the involvement of community organizations. None of this, however, will happen
without Government support. Government must ensure stable and reliable economic incentives for
individuals, enforce consistent and equitable regulations for corporations, and provide enabling
legislation allowing communities to reap the rewards of their collective efforts. Therefore, the
program management arrangements proposed here aims at bringing all stakeholders together for
increased upstream level support and improved downstream level coordination.
National Steering Committee (NSC): The WSDP consist of interventions proposed for many
subsectors. Therefore, program implementation and management can best achieve its objectives in a
multi-sectoral development framework. This requires participation of leading institutional
stakeholders. Accordingly, at the highest level, a National steering Committee (NSC) will be
established. This will be an inter-ministerial body consisting of representatives of relevant Federal
ministries and institutions, regional states, donors and private sector. Selected community
representatives from different regions will also represent at the committee. This committee will: (a)
provide vision for poverty alleviation and sustainable water resources development and management;
(b) improve the quality of decision making, sector efficiency and managerial performance in the
implementation of WSDP; (c) ensure inter-ministerial coordination for long-term sustainability of
WSDP investments; and (d) mobilize financial assistance. This Committee will not be involved in the
routine day to day program management operations; instead its role will be to monitor program
progress and provide policy advice and guidance to the implementing organs.
Federal Program Management Unit (PMIU): The FPMU will be established within the MoWR to
provide the technical, logistical and administrative support to all aspects of program management, as
described earlier: planning, implementation, coordination and monitoring. To begin with, it can start
functioning as part of the Planning Department of the MoWR. However, it is being perceived that it
should be transformed into a full-fledged Department of Program Management and Coordination--
once all the building blocks of program management are in place (probably in the second year of
program implementation). The FPMU will ensure a continuous flow of information between the
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MoWR and RPMUs. Other responsibilities of the FPMU will include: (a) reporting on program
progress and impact; (b) identifying gaps and bottlenecks; (c) brokering donors support; (d)
monitoring and evaluating program performance and impact; and (e) reviewing and validating the
continued relevance of the program components and approach etc. On top of its functions, it will
serve as the Technical Secretariat to NSC.
Regional Program Management Unit (RPMU): On the pattern of FPMU, a separate RPMU will
be established in each region within the Executive Council Office. This is essential because much of
the program components are to be implemented at the regional level. Socio-political considerations
also warrant so. Its functions and responsibilities will almost be similar to those of the FPMU. It will
ensure a continuous flow of information from the region to the FPMU at the MoWR.
Woreda/Zonal Implementation
Level Offices by Line Depts/Insts.
Sub-program Level Teams: Both under the FPMU and RPMUs, 3-4 sub-program level teams will
be established because WSDP projects are grouped in accordance with major sub-sectors dealing
with irrigation, hydropower, water supply and sewerage and general water resources. Number of
teams in each region will be determined by the extent of sub-sectoral projects to be implemented in
that region. These specialised teams will be responsible for co-ordination of sub-program level
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activities. Each regional sub-program level team will also co-ordinate with its Federal counterpart
team for exchange of information and data on various aspects of program implementation. In many
cases, since actual works will be executed through contracts with private companies, consulting
firms, NGOs and local communities, these teams will also be responsible for the technical
monitoring functions.
The monitoring system will include baseline data and information that will serve as
benchmark for future comparisons and evaluations. The monitoring system will respond to the
specificity of each sub-program, its components and the outputs to be produced. The
monitoring system will also encompass a reporting mechanism that will ensure a smooth flow
of information regarding the implementation of various activities to managers at different
levels of the hierarchy on a quarterly basis. This report will describe the achievement of
benchmarks on the time scale, and specify the actions required by the concerned parties in
order to achieve the next set of targets and, if necessary, will make substantive
recommendations about the orientation of the program.
The WSDP implementation will be reviewed and evaluated at least at three different levels, to be
consistent with the level of responsibility.
The first level of review and evaluation process calls for continuous monitoring of the performance
indicators for various projects planned under different program components at the local/project level.
Quarterly meetings between the project implementing agencies (private sector, communities, NGOs
etc.) and sub-program level teams will provide the necessary forum for this review. The sub-program
level teams will consolidate and report their findings to the respective RPMUs.
The second level of review calls for more intensive review and evaluation of program performance
on bi-annual basis. This review will be undertaken jointly by the Program Managers of FPMU and
all RPMUs. Reports coming out of the first level of review will serve the basis for discussion at this
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stage of the review. Exchange of inter-regional information and experience will help to fine-tune the
implementation process and agenda. The FPMU and RPMU will assume the responsibility for
preparing their respective progress reports for discussion at the meeting. The FPMU will prepare a
summary of this review for submission to the Minister of Water Resources. Critical issues impeding
program progress, if any, will be highlighted to seek high level guidance to overcome the
implementation constraints. If warranted, the Minister should call the meeting of the National
Steering Committee to discuss and resolve these issues.
The third level of review calls for an annual review of program performance by the National Steering
Committee. Towards this aim, the FPMU will prepare the Annual Progress Report with the
involvement of all stakeholders (especially the RPMUs). This report will reflect the results achieved so
far and the problems encountered in program execution. In addition, the effectiveness of the management
and coordination mechanisms will be reviewed. This meeting in addition to reviewing the past progress
will approve the operational plan for the next year. Situation with respect to resource mobilization will be
reviewed and a strategy devised for mobilizing additional funding to meet next year targets. This meeting
will take place at the end of each year to allow time for the revision of work plans, and the
incorporation of agreed changes into the budget for the coming financial year.
In sub-sectoral chapters (chapter 5 through 9) growth targets are set for different planning horizons:
short-term (2002-2006), medium-term (2007-2011) and long-term (2012-2016). Physical program is
developed to meet these targets, and corresponding annual investment schedules are drawn up.
Achievement of these targets or implementation of proposed annual program would serve as broad
benchmarks to monitor program progress. Since achievement of these benchmarks would depend
upon availability of required funding, monitoring benchmarks would be adjusted accordingly to
reflect what is realistically achievable. In addition, at the beginning of each year, specific benchmarks
and performance indicators will be developed as part of the annual operational plan, especially those
relate to institutional and technical capacity building.
The capacity for increased interagency cooperation in plan making and programming, and,
where needed, in extension, implementation and operation at all levels will be streamlined
and strengthened. This will also include creation of the capability in line ministries and
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institutions (at federal, regional, and district/wareda levels) to provide technical assistance and
support for implementation and monitoring of WSDP activities.
The corporate sector will be encouraged to take lead in modernizing the water sector of
Ethiopia. Horizontal equity in regulations and incentives will be promoted for competitive
firms to invest in providing water supply services.
Given the policy for a lean Government and budgetary constraints, most of the capacity
building work will be done by reorienting, training, and upgrading existing professionals.
Indigenous expertise will be taped from government, NGOs, community groups, and the
private industrial and commercial sectors.
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The FPMU and RPMUs will be made fully functional by assigning necessary staff and
making available the required equipment. These units will develop an operational plan (work
plan) for the short-term, especially with more details for the initial years, for approval of the
National Steering Committee.
A Program Implementation Manuel (PIM) will be prepared that would serve as a step-by-step
guide to deal with different aspects of program implementation. Such aspects may include,
but not limited to: procurement of goods and services, engagement of consultants/firms,
accessing program funds, disbursement procedures and regulations, roles and functions of
implementing agencies vis-à-vis other agencies participating in the program etc.
A monitoring system will be put in place that will include baseline data and information, and
encompass a reporting mechanism. It will also include detailed procedures for monitoring and
evaluation of program impacts.
The WSDP has identified a series of projects with tentative cost estimates. Proposed
interventions will be transformed into detailed project documents in line with the format and
requirements of funding agencies. In some cases, these project documents might already exist
but will need some updating. These documents (whether new or revised) will give due
attention to environmental and social impact assessments in line with the guidelines proposed
in chapter 11.
A detailed resource mobilization strategy will be worked out consistent with the strategic
guidelines proposed in chapter 13. A series of resource mobilization meetings will be
arranged with all partners, whether domestic or international, especially with the private
sector. The WSDP will be introduced at all international water related conferences to sensitize
the international community. Indeed, these efforts will continue in the medium-and long-term
as well.
A short-term capacity building plan will be prepared and implemented to enable the existing
institutions to cope with the extensive program management requirements in the first part of
the planning horizon. The plan will include detailed assessment of capacities in the FPMU
and all RPMUs, and an action plan to meet the capacity gaps. Capacity building priorities as
defined in section 12.4 above will be specifically targeted.
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Chapter 13
Financing the WSDP
The WSDP is not just an investment plan. Rather, it is concerned with the way all social and
economic development will be undertaken. Indicating the size and phasing of core subsectoral
programs in chapter 5 through 10 highlights the physical thrust of the WSDP, as well as the
investment Ethiopia needs to make literally in its future.
The proposed investments are likely to generate thousands of jobs, as most WSDP investment areas
are heavily biased in favor of labor intensive processes. The WSDP would thus make a useful
contribution to the critical problem of employment generation in a surplus labor economy. This would
also enhance the prospects for sustainability of investments, since people will be able to pay for the
services.
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(b) Debt-swap arrangements: A second source of aid-related funding for the WSDP is somewhat
less conventional. Ethiopia faces quite a bit of debt burden. A slow down in macroeconomic growth
performance, failure to diversify the export base, and a looming world recession leading to reduction
in trade collectively constitute a troubling matrix for Ethiopia’s debt servicing capacity. Present debt
servicing capacity is estimated to be around 3.5 per cent of the GDP, and projected to stay at the same
level in the next 3-4 years. In monetary terms, debt servicing in 2001-2002 amounted to about $248
million. Ethiopia has reached a decision point for enhanced HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries)
facility in October 2001. The Government plans to utilize this debt relief to supplement its efforts to
boost investments in social sectors. In other words, relief given on debt servicing and on the principal
amount would be used to finance the WSDP activities. This approach has proven to be very successful
in improving the capacity and performance of social sectors in many developing countries. There is
no reason why Ethiopia can’t make best of this facility to support one of the most vital social
programs in the country.
(a) Government Sources: The Government will have to increase its allocations to the water sector if
the goal of poverty alleviation is to be achieved. Besides showing its commitment to the development
of water sector, it will help to stimulate the interest of other funding partners such as international
agencies, NGOs and private sector in the WSDP. It will be an evidence of matching words by actions.
However, this would require extra revenue generation efforts. There are two ways in which the
Ethiopian Government could raise funds directly for WSDP activities. The first and most obvious
category is new taxation measures, such as polluter pay principle. For example, industrial units
damaging the water quality with untreated wastewater could be taxed. In addition to direct pollution
taxes, resources could be supplemented by lotteries and other fund raising schemes. Lotteries have
already demonstrated their potential in raising private capital in many parts of the world. A second
source for mobilizing domestic resources would be to rationalize water charges within the context of
efficiency, equity and cost recovery considerations.
(b) Non-government sources: Community contributions in the form of cash and kind inputs would
be another instrument for domestic resource mobilization. The WSDP activities will benefit the local
communities in terms of growth of economic activities in local economies resulting in increased
employment opportunities and household incomes. If communities become convinced about these
impacts, experience of many countries shows that they will contribute. This is especially true for
small-scale irrigation and rural water supply schemes. Role of community participation in reducing
recurrent project costs and enhancing sustainability of water supply schemes can hardly be over-
emphasized. Attaching a price tag to these two contributions will reduce the investment requirements.
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Subsectoral Description
Regional)
Government (Federal and
Communities/Beneficiaries
Multilateral/Bilateral
Total
Water Supply and Sewerage
Urban water supply 10 40 10 -- 40 100
Rural water supply 40 -- -- 10 50 100
Sanitation 10 40 10 -- 40 100
Hydropower
Federal projects -- 80 20 -- -- 100
Regional projects 50 -- 50 -- -- 100
Irrigation
Small scale projects 80 -- 10 10 -- 100
Medium and large scale projects 10 -- 20 10 60 100
General water resources
Monitoring networks 25 -- -- 75 100
Flood protection works 25 -- -- -- 75
Master plan studies 75 -- -- 25 100
Institution and capacity building
Human reources development 40 20 -- 40 100
Institution building 70 -- -- 30 100
Translating above subsectoral figures over the entire WSDP will set the following financial targets
from different sources over the next 15 years: $1,827 from Government sources (24.5%), $1,895 from
international private sector (25.4%), $759 from domestic private sector (10.2%), $377 from
communities/beneficiaries (5.1%) and $2,585 million from multilateral and bilateral donors (34.8%).
At this stage, the financial picture for short-term (2002-2006) is relatively more clear. Total
investment requirements for all subsectors are $2,110 million. The Government has already mobilized
a total of $1,241 from different sources, including $742 million available under the NBI. The
remaining balance turns out to be $174 million per year over the next five years. In other words, the
Government has raised enough resources to start the program implementation. As the program
implementation progresses, and resource mobilization efforts are more intensified, the remaining
resources are expected to become available. The Government fully realizes that future of this program
and of resource mobilization greatly depends upon its implementation performance in initial years of
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the program. At the same time, the Government remains hopeful that different partners will use the
opportunity provided by the WSDP to invest in sustainable development of Ethiopia.
There should be no doubt about Government’s commitment to allocate higher resources for investing
in the water sector. A recent paper presented by the Government of Ethiopia in the Third United
Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (May 2001) provided Ethiopia’s development
vision over the next years (2001-2010). It was estimated that Ethiopia would need to invest an amount
of $39 billion to achieve the targets set under this vision. Out of this, about $25 billion would be
invested in major development programs which have strong impact on poverty alleviation. Not only
that water was identified as one of the important pillar of the development vision, it also received
significant amount of share in resource allocations marked for the development of social sectors. The
paper went on to state that water sector investments would be targeted to realize the objectives of
water resources policy issued in 1999.
Therefore, the Government is planning to exert all out efforts to raise the required resources for the
implementation of WSDP activities. Resource mobilization efforts will though continue over the
entire planning horizon, the Government plans to take the following steps to meet the short-term
resource gap of $869 million over the next five years.
A donor’s meeting will be organized in Addis Ababa to launch the implementation of WSDP
and to secure donors’ interest in various WSDP activities. As mentioned earlier, the
Government has already raised some resources from its own source that will be utilized to
initiate the program implementation.
The Government has already constituted a Resource Mobilization Committee. This committee
has started its work and is holding discussions with the representatives of resident donor
agencies. The committee however will intensify its work once this report is officially released
and distributed to all potential partners.
The committee will hold meetings with various donor agencies (not present in Addis Ababa)
at their headquarters and introduce them to the various aspects of WSDP. Similar efforts will
be made to secure the interest of large international private sector companies. The experience
elsewhere shows that multinational companies usually remain interested in investing in urban
water supply projects.
The Government will soon announce a policy on tax rebates and extending credit lines to
private sector companies that would be willing to invest in water sector.
The year 2003 has been declared as an International Year of Freshwater. During that year a
number of international water meetings are planned. All efforts will be made to introduce the
WSDP in those meetings.
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Chapter 14
Summary of Conclusions
The WSDP report is carefully structured in terms of investments planned for the development of
water sector over the next 15 years. The objective is to present a comprehensive inventory of projects
that should be implemented in different subsectors--that form the water sector. These projects were
identified to meet the specific growth targets set for each of the subsector, while the national
development agenda formed the basis for setting the growth targets. Subsector specific
recommendations are dispersed throughout the report, and so is the case as far as Government
commitments to development of water sector are concerned. This chapter brings these
recommendations and commitments together in the form of an agenda for action.
Program implementation will begin as soon as possible. For this purpose, the Government
will not wait for resource mobilization to take place. The Government view resource
mobilization as a continuous activity parallel to those defined in the WSDP. Moreover,
sufficient resources have already been raised (or for sure will become available) to initiate the
program activities--at least to begin the implementation of short-term program.
Necessary steps will be taken to mobilize the resources required to meet the financial gap in
the short-term. This specifically will include organizing a donor’s conference, meetings with
individual donors, visiting headquarters of various donor agencies and multinational
companies, and introducing the WSDP in all major international water meetings.
A Program Implementation Manuel will be prepared describing the rules and procedures for
financial management and reporting, procurement of goods and services, contract
management, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities etc. This Manuel will be
prepared at the very beginning of program implementation because FPMU and RPMUs will
need it for their day to day functioning.
All future water sector projects and donors activities will be coordinated within the
framework provided by the WSDP. This applies equally to all those projects that are not
included in this WSDP.
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The monitoring and evaluation system for following up the progress of program and project
implementation will be strengthened in terms of both manpower and institutional capacities.
Improvements will be made at all levels of implementation: Federal Government, Regional
Government, zonal administration, woreda administration, and project management levels.
The Government will take necessary steps to create conditions conducive to the participation
of private sector in program implementation activities.
If funding becomes a constraint, Federal projects will be given priority over those of the
regional projects, followed by the Addis Ababa priority projects.
The program performance will be continuously monitored and evaluated at different levels--
ranging from project level progress to subprogram level performance to national level
evaluation and assessment.
14.2 Summing up
The WSDP consists of, and depends on, an interweaving of the physical means of land and water
resources with the necessary economic, social, environmental and political factors. Implementation of
such a plan will require heroic efforts by the Government and people of Ethiopia. It is a big challenge,
and not an easy one. The impact of concerted efforts to increase food production, providing safe
drinking water to those who presently do not have an access, generate additional hydropower to
stimulate economic growth will be felt in almost every department of the Federal and Regional
Governments. These institutions should start reorienting themselves to cope with these impacts.
The WSDP will intimately effect the life of every family in each project area. Each year thousands of
farmers and their families will be involved in technologic, economic and social revolution. The local
communities must become aware of a new frontier, after years of decreasing hopes and resources. The
Government should play a lead role in raising this awareness among the rural population, though it
will be a daunting task because of problems of village isolation, illiteracy, shortage or lack of
qualified personnel, and lack of mass communication media. Success will not occur unless the
communities can be motivated and mobilized to extend their efforts to cooperate.
Staffing of the implementing institutions will be a difficult problem. Domestic personnel will clearly
not be available in adequate numbers during the early years of the program, but every effort should be
made to build up the domestically recruited staff as quickly as possible. During the early years,
technical assistance from private sector and external support agencies will probably be essential. It is
evident that competent professionals would not be willing to work based on the present salary
structure. The Government therefore must adjust itself to this reality and be ready to attract national
professionals by offering them competitive packages.
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