Historic Phase for Megeche Irrigation Project
Addis Ababa, November 7, 2025 – The Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLs) announced that the Megeche Irrigation Development Project has entered a “historic phase.” This development marks a significant turning point for a project that has faced years of delays and challenges.
Abraham Belay, Minister of MILLs, described the day as historic for the project, which is now showing tangible progress after years of setbacks. His remarks highlight the importance of this moment for both the government and the local communities affected by the project.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the project site to review construction progress and assess the technical performance of the dam. His presence underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative.
The Megeche Irrigation Dam, after more than 15 years of construction delays that drew complaints from local communities, is now seeing tangible progress. The delays had led to frustration among residents, who had long awaited the completion of the project.
The Minister noted that the government has made continuous efforts to address the concerns of the Megeche people. “The project has gone through years of challenges, but today marks a turning point,” he said. His statement reflects the culmination of sustained efforts to resolve the issues that had plagued the project for so long.
The project was revitalized following a special decision made by Prime Minister Abiy in 2017 EFY to hire a new contractor. This move aimed to inject new energy and expertise into the project, addressing the technical and managerial shortcomings that had contributed to the delays.
The Prime Minister explained that expert inspections identified and resolved the root technical problems, setting the project on a firm foundation. These inspections were crucial in determining the necessary steps to ensure the project’s success.
Minister Abraham added that international consultants conducted a detailed study to ensure all structural and technical challenges were addressed. The dam’s construction is now proceeding under an efficient management system, which is expected to streamline the process and prevent further setbacks.
The Minister stated that a significant milestone was reached today as the work to redirect the river course and build the dam from end to end was successfully completed. This achievement represents a major step forward in the project’s timeline.
“From today, full-scale construction of the dam can continue without interruption,” he confirmed, adding that structural work that had been stalled for years has now been fully resolved. This resolution is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the government, contractors, and consultants involved in the project.
Extensive soil filling for the main dam is underway, and the overall construction is expected to be finalized before June 2018 EFY. This timeline indicates the project is on track to meet its goals, despite the challenges it has faced over the years.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
