Ethiopian dam won't affect Nile water share: Egypt presidency

Egyptian presidency says Ethiopia's announcement to divert the passage of the Blue Nile for its dam project will not affect Egypt's share of Nile water negatively

Ahram Online, Tuesday 28 May 2013

Egypt presidency spokesman Omar Amer

The Egyptian president’s office announced Tuesday that the ongoing construction work by the Ethiopian government to divert the course of the Blue Nile, one of the Nile River’s two major tributaries, as part of its project to build a new dam, will not affect Egypt's share of the Nile water negatively.

"Any architectural project on the Nile River requires diverting the course of the water passageways before starting construction. It will not affect Egypt's share of the Nile water," said presidential spokesman Omar Amer in a news conference Tuesday.
Ethiopia said on Monday it will begin on Tuesday diverting the course of the Blue Nile, as part of its project to build a new dam.
The Renaissance Dam, which is currently under construction, has been a source of concern for the Egyptian government. A report by a tripartite technical committee, which includes members from Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, on the effects of the dam is expected in the next few days.
Egypt will need an additional 21 billion cubic metres of water per year by 2050, on top of its current quota of 55 billion metres, to meet the water needs of a projected population of 150 million people, according to Egypt's National Planning Institute.