Zambezi Watercourse Commission Commends Ethiopia for Riverside Development Project

Addis ababa: Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) delegates have commended Ethiopia for its Riverside Development Project in promoting environmental restoration and sustainable urban development.According to Ethiopian News Agency, following the visit to the Riverside Development projects in Addis Ababa, Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Chair, Elice Engelbert, expressed that the project surpassed her expectations. She highlighted the project's dual focus on recreational space and environmental conservation, emphasizing its role in ecological restoration. The Chairperson added that it serves as a crucial example of integrated planning accommodating diverse interests from various sectors.Engelbert urged African nations to recognize their capabilities in similar initiatives, emphasizing that Africans can undertake their own projects. She noted that others could learn valuable insights from such localized efforts. The Ethiopian government has effectively mobilized communities, the private sector, an d various institutions to secure financial resources for a project primarily focused on restoring degraded environments.Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Executive Secretary, Felix Ngamlagosi, highlighted the transformative potential of the project for other African nations. Ngamlagosi pointed out the significant improvements in rivers, which were once polluted and neglected. According to him, the initiative offers a substantial solution to environmental degradation and revitalizes towns and river basins.Ngamlagosi further noted that the riverside development project creates an attractive environment where people can relax, businesses can flourish, and jobs can be generated for youth and women. He also urged other cities across the continent to learn from Addis Ababa's effective planning, which can transform urban areas into appealing destinations.The Executive Secretary elaborated that Ethiopia's achievements in environmental conservation and watershed management mark a new chapter for Africa, sh owcasing the continent's capacity for innovation and future development. ZAMCOM delegate, Chipo Phiri, remarked on the transformation from Entoto Mountain to the center of Addis Ababa, where once-degraded land has now been revitalized.Phiri stated that the project benefits the environment and encourages a cultural shift towards healthier lifestyles, demonstrating the potential for African nations to mobilize resources internally. Another ZAMCOM delegate, Gilbert Mawere, described the Riverside Development Project as a benchmark for economic growth in Ethiopia. He expressed his impression with the developments observed since his last visit to Addis Ababa 15 years ago.Mawere emphasized the importance of cooperation between government and private sectors for comprehensive development. He called for enhanced collaboration among the eight Zambezi riparian countries to adopt similar initiatives. ZAMCOM's objective is to promote the equitable and reasonable utilization of the water resources of the Zambezi Water course and its efficient management and sustainable development.