Water works

Thousands of Ethiopians are set to benefit from a dam and a network of canals being built in the northern state of Amhara.

Laying the foundation stone for the US$126.9 million Ajima-Chacha Irrigation Development Project, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy Seleshi Bekele said the project would ‘develop 7 000 ha of land, benefit thousands of farmers upon completion, and create employment opportunities during and after the construction phase’.

According to Construction Review Online, the three-year project includes a 55 million m³ dam on the Jimma river; a 44 km main canal; a 20 km branch canal; and dozens of secondary canals. It will be developed by the Amhara Water Works Construction Enterprise with the Chinese Civil Engineering Corporation.

The 7 000 ha will be planted with apples, vegetables, wheat and barley, and will benefit 28 000 Ethiopians living in the vicinity.