Ethiopia’s Nile dam project signals its intention to become an African power | Global development | The Guardian
▻http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jul/14/ethiopia-grand-renaissance-dam-egypt
via Pierre Ageron sur Twitter
The 4x4 roars off, kicking up a cloud of dust. With one hand on the wheel, the other stifling a yawn, Semegnew Bekele could do this trip with his eyes shut. A construction engineer, he has driven down this track at every hour of the day or night over the past three years. “Ordinary people are building an extraordinary project,” he says. He is referring to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam (Gerd), in the north-west corner of the country close to the border with Sudan. Four hours away from the town of Assosa more than 8,500 workers and engineers are labouring on a massive project to harness the waters of the Blue Nile.