Efficient water management system, need of the hour: Abera Tilahun

President of Micro Business College,
Mr. Abera Tilahun giving opening remarks
during 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial
Lecture at Woliso campus on 24th March. 

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun opined that to make use of its extremely low levels of hydraulic infrastructure, the country needed highly efficient water management system. He was giving opening remarks during the 6th Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series at Woliso campus of the college on 24 March. He added that since rain-fed subsistence agriculture is the base for the country’s socio-economic growth, water management must receive a prime place in the developmental plans. 

“Our country is blessed by 14 major rivers to get the nickname, Water Tower of Africa. Disappointingly, our water flows out without optimum use, due to lack of proper irrigation systems”, he said. Quoting statistics, Mr. Abera added that the country uses just 1.5 percent of its river water for irrigation and mere 1 percent for power production. 

He said that it should not be ignored that when developed countries like the USA, for example invested a mere 1 litre of water for producing 1 calorie food; developing countries like Ethiopia needed to use 100 litres for growing 1 calorie food. 

He reiterated that his college believed in Wangari Maathai’s great ideal of doing small things to bring big changes. He expressed optimism that the college’s upcoming Wangari Maathai Integrated Rural Development Scheme of Uru-Gamo would contribute to the watershed management of Guddar river area, finally adding to the well being of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.  Mr. Abera requested Prof. Tafa Tulu to provide necessary advice and guidance in this regard for the college.