Chinese-built water project to sustain Ethiopian capital population

ADDIS ABABA -- The Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa would be able to provide water to two thirds of its population with the new 70,000-cubic-meter supply project being built by a Chinese constructor.

The project, carried out by China's CGC Overseas Construction Group, is expected to rise the city's water supply capacity by over 30 percent to 464,000 cubic meters, satisfying water demand for two thirds of its four million population.

The $95 million project is solely funded by the Exim Bank of China. It is part of the city's plan to improve water supply to meet the growing demand prompted by rapid economic development, Aweke Hailemariam, General Manager of Addis Ababa's water company said at the inaugurating ceremony.

"This is one of the landmark projects in building renaissance in Addis Ababa next to our landmark railway, light rail transit project that we have cooperated with the Chinese government. The second is this Addis Ababa water supply project, and I think we have strong feeling that we have to praise the Chinese government, the Exim Bank of China for supporting this project," said Ethiopia' s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

La Yifan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, said the project is one of the many successful projects resulting from the cooperation forged between Ethiopia and China.

He stated that China would further strengthen its development cooperation with Ethiopia towards realizing common dreams and visions.

Gao Lei from the Chinese construction company noted that the project has been successful due to the hard work of Ethiopian and Chinese workers with the support from and close collaboration with the Ethiopian and Chinese officials as well as the concerned citizens.