Basin Dev't High Council Approves National Water Use Tariff Draft Regulation

Addis Ababa April 11//2019 Ethiopian River Basin Development High Council has approved a draft national water use tariff draft regulation today.

The tariff will be paid from 2 to 3 percent of the total profit of the sectors which will be used for pollution protection ways.

Industry, fishery, irrigation, hydropower, water services are among the sectors expected to pay the tariff.

Accordingly, sectors such as cut flower companies that may harm the environment will pay more than other fields to equalize the harm they cause.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Council, Demeke Mekonnen said on the occasion the main purpose of the tariff is to make people use water more efficiently and teach the value as to protect the resource.

The chairperson urged all regional administrates to protect the basins in their respective regions and mobilize the community to work for the improvement of the water bodies.

Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Sileshi Bekele and Deputy Chairperson of the Council told ENA that strategic works are being done to handle climate change problems in the basins, including protecting the water bodies in various areas.

According to him, “chained development basin works must be implemented to increase water value and inland values in irrigation works.”

The draft national water use tariff draft regulation approved by the council will be submitted to the Council of Ministers soon.