In a surprisingly swift move, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Government has appointed Arba Minch University’s Deputy Scientific Director of Arba Minch Water Technology Institute (AWTI), Dr Beshah Mogesse, as Commissioner for Water Development Commission, one of the newly structures commissions of Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy on 3rd of November, 2018.
Reacting to his appointment, Dr Beshah Mogesse, said, initially, I was bit perplexed, when I received a call from Cabinet Minister for Water, Irrigation and Energy, Dr SileshiBekele, who asked my willingness about this appointment, and the appointment letter, which I received was signed by honorable Prime Minister, Dr Abyi Ahmed.
You know, it was like a bolt from the bluebecause till yesterday, I was shepherding AWTI and was absolutely satisfying what I was doingbut here comes the greater stimulus to perform on national-level that will have wider repercussion for I will be serving 100-Million plus people. Therefore, I am overwhelmed with this recognition and ready to cater to the immediate needs of countrymen in this significant field of water supply and sanitation.
His immediate task would be to chalk out ‘100-Day Plan’ as told by the Ministry and next week, he is likely to meet Dr Sileshie Bekele to apprise him with his preparedness in this regard. The prime focus of his new office will be to ensure optimum water supply and improve messy sanitation scenario across Ethiopia; while sorting out inherent challenges, he said, In addition to the new developments, I will deal with issues like operation and maintenance of water supply systems.
On prevailing scenario, he said, in rural area coverage stated to be approximately 57% and urban over 80% but on an average coverage is about 70%; yet, he exclaimed that I am skeptical because my research outcomes say only 24% of served rural population could have access to sufficient waterwhile others’ need remains unmet.
He further informed that Ethiopia has around 122 Billion Meter Cubic annual surface and huge reserve of groundwater, but such humongous potential hasn’t been yet completely exploited. However, there are many national and global partnering organizations engaged in improving present scenario.
He hails from Gelamso, Belbelity town in West Hararghe, Oromia region and residing in Arba Minch for last 18 years. He had his BSc and MSc from AMU in 2004 and 2010; and in between, had brief stints as water conservation expert at Meta woreda and also worked with Hararghe Catholic Secretariat (HCS). He completed his PhD from Tampere University of Technology, Finland, in Civil Engineering in 2016 with research on ‘Rural Water Supply and Sanitation’, and became Assistant Professor in AMU; a year later he was appointed director for Academic Affairs in AWTI.
When asked about his feelings, he said, AMU is my mother institution, and it’s here all my academic dreams got fulfilled and it’s this institution that led the foundation of my professional and academic career; so leaving from here is painful. Nevertheless, I will remain attached to AMU, my superiors and others because I owe all my achievements to it.
Expressing his amazement, he said, yes, I was left completely bewildered for a moment, then, I realized it is Dr Abiy Ahmed’s administration working round the clock to transform nation, that often throws surprise, because it’s striving to pick able-bodies to handle challenging tasks so that people get what they deserve. Onceagain, I express my gratitude towards the nation for reposing faith in my professional caliber, he adds.
AMU being deeply overwhelmed by this extraordinary recognition to its promising staff wishes him success in all his endeavors in serving the nation in the potential arena through his expertise and professional diligence. It’s learnt that Dr Beshah Mogesse may assume the charge of his new office in Addis Ababa next week.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)