INAUGURATING KOKA DAM
It is an historic occasion of twofold
significance in the life of Ethiopia when We, today inaugurate and place into
service the Koka Dam and hydro-electric installation. In so doing, We witness
the realization of an undertaking which has, since its inception, been very
close to Our heart and in which We have always maintained the highest personal
interest. We humbly render Our thanks to Almighty God, who, having laid upon Us
the heavy responsibility of leading Our beloved people in the path of progress
and enlightenment, has spared Us to witness the fruits of Our labours.
This project, so impressive in its
proportions, its complexity and its ramifications, reflects in common with all
other undertakings designed for the promotion of progress and welfare of
mankind, the fruition of intelligence, faith and diligence; intelligence to
penetrate and discern the hidden resources and opportunities that a Benevolent
Providence has spread before Us, in challenge to prove ourselves worthy of the
means for bringing them to full development; faith in the ability of Our people
to respond to that challenge; faith to penetrate through the fatigues and
difficulties of the hour to the vision of their future welfare and progress
which these resources, these opportunities and these labours offer; and,
diligence to pursue through hardship and fatigues, the attainment of that
vision.
Thus the opportunities which the Almighty,
in His generosity and wisdom, extends to Us, must be found, created, developed
and exploited. It is the duty of all mankind to make the maximum use of the
gifts, ingenuities, capacities and resources which have been placed at its
disposal. These are not ours to do with as we will; they have been given to Us
in trust, that we may, following the example of developed countries, apply them
for the highest benefit to ourselves and to posterity, and each one of us has a
sacred duty to fulfil this trust and to prove ourselves worthy of the
confidence reposed in us.
So it is with the installation which We
are today inaugurating. Ethiopia has been blessed – with an abundant rainfall,
and well-fed streams, a rich soil, a propitious climate and an industrious
population. Indeed, the challenges presented by the opulence of our resources,
has required a careful selection, planning and timing, in order to devote to
each challenge the disciplined thought and effort that it merits. Thus, viewed in
the broader spectrum of Our national Five-Year Plan, the Koka Installation
takes its assigned place not merely as a significant unit of Our national power
resources, but also as a part of a nation-wide programme for the exploitation
of our river systems.
That same selection and that same planning
are revealed in the structure at Our feet. It was not sufficient to note the
existence of the resources in water power, it had meticulously to be measured
and the amount and regularity of future flow computed.
It was not sufficient to note the
existence of a waterfall, it was necessary, by exhaustive surveys and studies,
careful drillings and precautionary measures to make certain that the
construction at this site was feasible from the points of view of engineering,
the economics of electrical distribution and public communications. All this
planning and labour under the direction and supervision of officials appointed
by Us, lie before Us in expectant completion and justify and nourish Our faith
in the youth of Our country.
This
impressive installation is, therefore, a national resource, having its origins
in the life and history of Our people and offering opportunity for the
expansion of industry and the fructifying powers of our water resources. It is
Our bounden duty, to exploit them to the full, in a surge of development of our
agriculture and industry.
It is, therefore, particularly appropriate
that the financial and technical resources placed at our disposition by the
Reparations Agreement, should, for the most part, have been devoted to this
seminal and powerful programme of hydro-electrical and agricultural development.
Such a programme in assuaging past wounds, can contribute powerfully to
improvement of relations.
However, as We have observed, this project
has already been integrated not only into the larger programme, by which the
Awash River will yield, again and again, of its treasures to turn the wheels of
industry and to fructify the fertile soil of Our homeland, but also into the
yet broader programme including the Blue Nile, the Webi Shebelli, the Akobo,
the Dinder, the Taccase, the Mereb and others.
In this way, the Koka hydro-electric
installation will along with others to be constructed, enhance the welfare of
Our beloved subjects. To this end, We have ordered the reduction of the present
rates for the electricity produced by this enterprise constructed from
reparations funds. Moreover, in order that outlying regions should not be
handicapped by their remoteness, the same reduced tariff shall apply to all
communities, so that everyone will receive his fair share. In this way, the new
installation can serve as a powerful stimulus to the development of Our rapidly
expanding economy and society.
We
must, all of us, then, look beyond today and beyond the vast structure which
lies at Our feet, to find the real significance of this occasion. In doing so,
we must rededicate ourselves to the cause of the progress and advancement of
Ethiopia and her people which has played so large a role in this project. We
for Our part, shall never falter in Our efforts to assure that the benefits of
modern science and technology shall be lavished upon Our people without any
loss of the underlying moral and spiritual values which have contributed so
much to our history. We ask no less of each of our subjects.
While we are appreciative of the residence
which has been constructed for Us, near the site of this dam, plans are being
prepared for its utilization in the interest of Our people.
And, therefore, having entrusted all
available finance in the hands of those in whom We have placed Our full
confidence, it will never occur to Us to entertain the belief that they will be
so negligent as to betray Our faith in their integrity or be so motivated by
gains as to be led astray from their responsibility.
On this occasion, We would extend Our
thanks to the Reparations Commissioner, Major Assefa Lemma, and those
consultants, scientists and engineers who contributed to the timely completion
of this enterprise and to the others who laboured so long and diligently to
that end.
May 4, 1960.
Selected
Speeches of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie – page 579 –
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| Since 1960, the Koka Dam in Oromia Region has been powering Ethiopia. The 458 metre long dam was an important part of the country’s development. Norwegian expertise was utilized to make the most of hydropower in Ethiopia. |
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| Near Koka Dam The Melkassa Castleone can be found - of the many resorts of HIM QHS around Ethiopia. |
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