An official handing-over ceremony between the Governments of Japan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for goods and equipment for an emergency water supply programme took place on 29 August 2011 at the Ministry of Water and Energy. H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ethiopia and H.E. Ato Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water and Energy attended the ceremony.

On the occasion, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino said that the goods and equipment were procured based upon the bilateral grant agreement signed between the two Governments on April 23, 2009. This programme aims to support Ethiopia’s efforts to address climate change with a special emphasis on the “adaptation” to the effects of climate change. More specifically, the programme aims to strengthen the capacities of Tigray, Oromia, Afar, Amhara, Somali and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional States for water supply and management.

His Excellency further said that, for this programme, the Government of Japan has extended 800 million Japanese Yen [at the current exchange rate value, about 175million Ethiopian Birr] to the Government of Ethiopia. The goods and equipment include water purification chemicals, portable water treatment plants, plastic water tanks, water tank lorries, a bulldozer, a trailer, drilling rigs, cargo trucks with cranes, air compressors with trucks and a service rig. Training for operating and maintaining these items will also be provided.

H.E. Mr. Ambassador went on to say that the Ethiopian Water Sector Development Programme [WSDP] 2002-2016 designated the task of making potable water available as one of the top national and regional agendas. The WSDP made progress, and access to potable water increased from 35% to 65.8% in rural areas and from 80% to 91.5% in urban areas. As a result, national access to potable water increased from 36% to 68.5% during its period. Since 2005, Japan has been engaged in water supply and management in five regions with funding of 4.552 billion Japanese Yen [about 994million Ethiopian Birr] in Amhara, Afar, Oromia, Tigray and SNNPR. In 2010, Japan also provided a grant for the improvement of equipment for groundwater development with 557 million Japanese Yen [about 121.6million Ethiopian Birr].

In addition to the provision of water supply goods and equipment, human resources development is important. In 1998, Japan supported Ethiopia in establishing the Ethiopian Water Technology Center [EWTEC], the first of its kind in Africa to enroll and train water engineers, gathered from Ethiopia and other African countries. Since its establishment, EWTEC has provided professional training for more than 2,700 water engineers, out of whom 2,455 are from various parts Ethiopia.

H.E. Mr. Ambassador also noted that the Growth and Transformation Plan[GTP] aims to raise potable water supply coverage from 65.8% to 98% in the rural areas, from 91.5% to 100% in urban areas. If these goals are achieved, national access to potable water will increase from 68.5% to 98.5%. To achieve this plan, concerted efforts by both the Ethiopian Government and its development partners are required. Japan, as a long standing supporter of the water sector, will remain firm to assist the implementation of the programme.

Finally, H.E. Mr. Kishino expressed his wish that the goods and equipment handed-over should be used effectively and efficiently so as to make a substantial contribution towards improving the livelihood of residents in the respective regions.