On the occasion of the inauguration ceremony, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino explained that out of this amount, 327 million yen (about 73 million ETB) was allocated for the installation of 82 hand-pump facilities in ten woredas including Alamata, and 98 million yen (about 22 million ETB) for the procurement of drilling equipment and a cargo truck equipped with a crane.  In the meantime, 536 million yen (about 120 million ETB) has been allocated for the installation of deep well facilities and water distribution systems in the same areas. This deep well part of the project is still underway but registering good progress.

H.E. Ambassador Kishino went on to indicate that improving access to safe water is an important policy objective in Ethiopia. Indeed, access to potable water substantially improved during the PASDEP period (2005/06 - 2009/10), increasing from 36% to 68.5% at the national level. In many local communities, however, access to potable water is still a great challenge, and the southern and eastern parts of Tigray are no exception.

Tigray is a Region with a complex topographical and geological backdrop, which has made it difficult to ensure safe and sustainable water resources.  The water supply ratio in Tigray was only 33.3% in 2005/2006. The Region’s access to potable water improved to 54% in 2009/2010 but was still lower than the national average.

In this regard, H.E. Ambassador Kishino said that, to help the Region come to grips with these challenges, Japan decided to implement this water supply project.  This project, therefore, was aimed at increasing the number of the population that enjoys safe and reliable water supply in the Tigray Region.  With this water project, when it is fully completed, 72,000 residents will benefit and the safe water coverage is expected to increase from 62% to 66% in the targeted 10 woredas.

H.E. Ambassador Kishino also noted that the Growth and Transformation Plan(GTP) has identified the task of water supply as one of the top priorities.  Under the GTP, it is planned to raise water supply coverage from 68.5% to 98.5% at the national level in five years. In its first year of implementation, potable water supply coverage at the national level improved from 68.5% to 73.5%. Improvement in coverage was also impressive in Tigray where it increased from 54% to 67% during the same period. However, the task of water supply still requires continued efforts by the Ethiopian Government and its development partners. In this context, H.E. Ambassador Kishino emphasized, Japan, as a long standing supporter of the water sector in Ethiopia, will remain firm to support the implementation of the GTP program.

Finally, the Ambassador expressed his sincere hope that the facilities and equipment, which have been completed and handed over, should be used effectively and efficiently, while maintained in good condition, to make a substantial contribution to improving the livelihoods of the residents in the respective communities.