NBD News Article Links

Nile River basin countries adjourn without agreement on new framework

Ten African countries sharing the River Nile adjourned a six-day meeting after failing to agree on a legal framework to replace colonial laws giving Egypt preferential use of the river’s resources. "The meeting has been adjourned to September... http://www.sudantribune.com/Nile-River-basin-countries-adjourn,3278

Egypt: AMCOW Chairmanship Goes for Nation

Water and Irrigation Minister Hisham Qandil took on Tuesday 15/5/2012 the post of chairmanship of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) from South Africa for two years. At the morning session of the Cairo-hosted AMCOW meeting, Qandil said that the meetings of the joint technical committee grouping Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, which kicked off on Tuesday 15/5/2012, would evaluate studies offered by Ethiopia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, formerly known as the Millennium Dam.

Ethiopia working to fully utilize its water resource: Minister

Ethiopia is working to undertake irrigation of five million hectares of land in the next 10 years, Basin Affairs Advisor Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Shiferaw Jarso said on Wednesday.   He said activities are underway to irrigate five million hectares of... http://www.ertagov.com/erta/erta-news-archive/38-erta-tv-hot-news-addis-ababa-ethiopia/1685-ethiopia-working-to-fully-utilize-its-water-resource-minister.html

Egypt: EGP 120 Million to Implement Projects in Nile Basin Countries

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hisham Kandil said that the ministry has signed several agreements with other Nile Basin countries within the framework of the Egyptian initiative for development of the Basin countries, where an amount of EGP120 million is... (April 30 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204300080.html

Egypt: Citizens-Sudanese Coordination on Nile Water File

Minister of Water Resources and irrigation Hisham Kandeel described his talks in Khartoum with his Sudanese counterpart Seif el-Deen Hamad as "fruitful and positive". The talks tackled issues of common interest, preparations for the new flood as well as Khartoum and Cairo stances on the http://allafrica.com/stories/201205041229.html

Rwanda: $600m Rusumo power project to kick-off soon

Kirehe–The long awaited construction of the multimillion Rusumo hydro-electric power plant is set to commence soon. This was disclosed by the Minister of Infrastructure, Albert Nsengiyumva, while addressing residents and local leaders at the Rusumo border over the weekend. http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=14985&a=53322

Uganda: Free Rural Power Connections Starts July

"One of the major constraints to accessing electricity which we (government) have noted is the inability, mainly of the rural and peri-urban dwellers, to afford connection costs," President Museveni observed Thursday. . http://allafrica.com/stories/201205041151.html

East Africa: EAC Ministers Vow to Make Victoria Basin Productive

Ministers from the East African Community (EAC) partner states have committed themselves to make projects implemented by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) productive and beneficial to the people of the region. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205070167.html

Egypt: Tripartite Committee on Renaissance Dam to Convene in Addis Mid-May

The tripartite committee, assigned to assess the impact of Ethiopia’s planned Renaissance Dam, will convene in Addis Ababa mid-May to start its work. Member of the committee Dr. Sherif el-Mohammadi confirmed that Egypt will not give up its water rights and will continue efforts to support... http://allafrica.com/stories/201205070308.html

Egypt: Minister - Country and Sudan Support the Real Development in the Nile Basin

Dr. Hesham Kandil Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation in an interview with the newspaper (el gomhourya) issued in 05/06/2012, stressed the depth of Egyptian-Sudanese relations and described it as eternal; He said that the new regime in Egypt must exert sound efforts to achieve the slogan "Egypt and Sudan are one hand" http://allafrica.com/stories/201205070405.html

Egypt’s Nile water quota unchanged since 1955, says irrigation minister

Water resources and irrigation minister Hesham Mohamed Qandil told the Parliament Agriculture and Irrigation Committee on Sunday that Egypt's Nile water quota of 5.55 billion cubic meters has not changed since 1955. http://www.egyptindependent.com/news

Egyptian Parliament Speaker Meets Burundian FM

Cairo, May 12 (QNA) - Egyptian Speaker of Parliament Saad El-Katatni met on Saturday with Burundian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Laurent Kavakure who is currently visiting Cairo. The meeting reviewed means of enhancing bilateral http://www.qnaol.net/QNAEn/Foreign_News/Politics4/Pages/EgyptianParliamentSpeakerMeetsBur12052012.aspx

Irrigation Minister - Entebbe Agreement of No Value Without Nation, Sudan

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hisham Qandeel affirmed on Monday 30/04/2012 that the Entebbe agreement that was signed by six Nile Basin countries is of no value or effect without Egypt and Sudan and without consensus between all the basin countries on its articles, especially that there are agreements between those countries in this regard. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205010693.html

Irrigation Minister - Entebbe Agreement of No Value Without Nation, Sudan

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hisham Qandeel affirmed on Monday 30/04/2012 that the Entebbe agreement that was signed by six Nile Basin countries is of no value or effect without Egypt and Sudan and without consensus between all the basin countries on its articles, especially that there are agreements between those countries in this regard. http://allafrica.com/stories/201205010693.html

EAC to re-engage with Egypt over Nile water sharing

East African countries will restart stalled negotiations on the use and control of Nile water resources in a move that will also test diplomatic relations with Egypt’s new government. East African Community (EAC) bloc presidents last week said they were ready to steer talks with Egypt and Sudan to conclusion. Cairo, with the tacit support of Khartoum, resisted past attempts by seven countries in the region to renegotiate the use and control of Nile water. http://www.africareview.com/Business+++Finance/-/979184/1150912/-/11pmbpgz/-/index.html

Minister Calls for Launching 'Nile River Corridor' Initiative

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohamed Salim said Thursday 26/04/2012 that the ministry will ink on the sidelines of the 16th edition of Cairo ICT 2012, a joint cooperation deal with the Environment Ministry on the use of eco-friendly IT applications in the different domains. This came during the opening session of the 16th edition of Cairo ICT 2012. The Minister called for launching the "Nile River Corridor" technological initiative. It is a corridor linking the African countries in the Nile basin to increase the technological competitive level appropriate for the Nile Basin countries. http://allafrica.com/stories/201204300016.html

Six African countries to ratify new 'Nile Treaty'

Six African countries including Rwanda have agreed on the ratification of a new treaty on the use of the waters of the Nile river, an official source revealed here on Friday. According to Kenyan minister of Water and Irrigation Charity Ngilu, the commission whose mission is to supervise the equitable sharing of the waters of the Nile has been operational since 1999 following an accord signed in Nairobi, Kenya, by the 10 riparian states of the Nile Basin. (28^th April, 2012) http://www.africareview.com/News/Six+African+countries+to+ratify+new+Nile+Treaty/-/979180/1395572/-/fnrlyrz/-/index.html

Egypt to implement LE 120 m projects in Nile Basin countries

Cairo - Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hisham Kandil said that the ministry has signed several agreements with other Nile Basin countries within the framework of the Egyptian initiative for development of the Basin countries, where an amount of EGP120 million is allocated for the initiative. The minister pointed out that those agreements include a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia for the training of Ethiopian cadres in the areas of water resources and irrigation (29^th April, 2012) https://www.arabfinance.com//News/newsdetails.aspx?Id=226027

Africa: Water and Reconstruction - an Agenda for Transformation

The unification of the water resources of Africa is one of the primary bases for African unity, with a system of canals linking rivers and lakes in the kind of infrastructure planning that ensures that all will have water. What is hidden from the Wise and Prudent will be revealed to babes and sucklings. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight (26^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204270624.html

Egypt: Qandeel - Gov't Encourages Investment in Nile Basin Countries

In his statement, Irrigation Minister Hisham Qandeel said on Wednesday 25/4/2012 that the government has adopt the initiatives to cooperation with Nile Basin countries widely during the coming period. He said that the government tackles as well the future of relations between the Nile Basin countries within the framework of the Nile Basin initiative and means to boost the cooperation projects between the Nile Basin countries (28^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204261107.html

Kenya to build 24 Nile dams, sources say

Kenya is planning to build 24 dams on the Nile within 10 years, sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm, adding that Kenyan experts have said building dams is the best investment to secure the country’s water needs. The sources said the Kenyan government built a number of small dams in different regions in Kenya to retain water during the rainy season and to use it later during the dry season. Egypt is closely following the activities carried out by certain Nile Basin countries (22^nd April, 2012) http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/n1

Ethiopia's giant dam muddies the waters downstream in Egypt

ASWAN - About 1,287 kilometres south of this Egyptian city where the Nile river pours into Egypt, construction has begun on a massive dam being built in Ethiopia that could destabilise Egypt in a way that would make the last year of political upheaval look minuscule, analysts say. If constructed at specifications revealed last year, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would result in cuts in electricity, a reduction in agricultural lands and water shortages across major cities in Egypt, new studies say(23^rd April, 2012) https://www.arabfinance.com//News/newsdetails.aspx?Id=225689

New Unified Law for Electricity to Encourage Energy Investments

The Ministry of Electricity has finished drafting a new unified law for electricity to be submitted to parliament, it will be the primary legislation for the energy sector in Egypt. The law encourages investors to produce electricity from renewable energies, and other sources. Electricity Minister Hassan Younis said that the law would reassure investors to invest in these long-term areas, http://allafrica.com/stories/201204180419.html

Kenya's 400 MW geothermal plant to be operational by 2016

Kenya's 400 MW geothermal plant will be operational by 2016, Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) said on Thursday.  GDC CEO Silas Simiyu told journalists in Nairobi that African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided 143 million U.S. dollars loan and 17.2 million dollars grant for the development of steam field located at the Menengai geothermal field 180 km northwest of Nairobi in order to supply steam to the power plants. https://research.zecco.com/research/quotes/stock-news/story.asp?key=100-103h8930-1&lastPage=quote_snapshot&mcsymbol=undefined

Rwanda: Local Firm to Construct Rwf6 Billion Hydro Power Plant

A local entrepreneur, Gregory Tayi, has embarked on the construction of another mini-hydro-electric plant estimated to cost Rwf 6 billion ($10m). Upon completion, the plant is expected to generate two megawatts, according to the proprietor. In an exclusive interview, Tayi told The New Times that his firm, Renewable Energy Promotion (REPRO) Limited, has designed a hydro-power project scheduled to be complete within two years. "We want to construct another hydropower plant scheduled to cost US10 million dollars, which will be producing two megawatts; we are just waiting for the government to allocate us the site...otherwise we are more than ready," said Tayi. http://allafrica.com/stories/201204180391.html

Sudan’s support for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project

President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan, receiving the credentials of Ethiopia’s newly appointed Ambassador Abadi Zemo, said the Sudan government understood the mutual benefits that the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project could offer Ethiopia and Sudan. He said he would extend the necessary support to ensure the massive hydro-power project would be successfully completed (13^th April, 2012) http://www.dailyethiopia.com/index.php?aid=1163

Tanzania: Biharamulo and Ngara to Finally See the Light With Rusumo Power Project

Mwanza — THE Rusumo power project will take off soon and officials and experts are calling for a joint endeavour to make the project a success. The Kagera Regional Commissioner, Fabian Masawe has called on leaders and residents in Ngara district to ensure that the project adheres to stipulated laws of the land especially in compensation and the relocation of residents. "The rights and compenpensation of residents who will be displaced must be respected and done according to the laws of the land (13^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204130083.html

Sudanese minister: Resolution of conflicts with Juba in Egypt's interest

Sudanese Water Resources Minister Seif Eddin Hamad Abdallah called on Egypt to play a role in reducing the differences of opinion between Sudan and South Sudan. He said that Egypt's interests are related to improving relations between the two countries. "It's in Egypt's favor to immediately resolve the current crisis between the two countries as a step toward resolving all other issues between Sudan and South Sudan, such as the border and petroleum," he added. In the case Egypt hesitated, "the future of relations among Nile Basin countries would be negatively affected (13^th April, 2012) http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/%D9%8Dsudanese-minister-says-egypts-interests-related-resolution-conflicts-juba-nehal-news-1

Ethiopia claims Sudanese support for Renaissance hydroelectric project

Ethiopian news source NewsDire reports that Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, told the newly appointed Ethiopian ambassador to Sudan, Abadi Zemo, that his country supports the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project. According to a statement from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bashir made the announcement while receiving the new Ethiopian envoy to Sudan in Khartoum, where the two sides also held talks on a number of bilateral issues. Bashir said his government understands the mutual benefits the project could offer Ethiopia and Sudan and said he will extend the necessary support to ensure the successful completion of the massive hydropower project (12^th April, 2012) http://www.ethiopiafirst.info/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1150:ethiopia-claims-sudanese-support-for-renaissance-hydroelectric-project-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=1

South Sudan, Ethiopia sign security, development cooperation accord

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle   April 4, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) - Ethiopia and South Sudan have agreed to undertake a range of joint activities along their shared border. Representatives from Ethiopia’s Gambella and South Ethiopia Nation Nationalities and Peoples state (SNNP) regions and South Sudan’s Jonglei, Upper Nile and Easter Equatoria states met in Ethiopia’s Gambela town last week to discuss ways of fostering cooperation over a broad range of interests and concerns http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-Ethiopia-sign-security,42139

Communities attack UETCL over property

Local communities in six districts are bitter with Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) over what they call unfair evaluation and weak compensation rates of their property. Communities in the seven districts of Jinja, Mayuge, Bugiri, Iganga, Tororo and Mbarara, whose land and property has been taken over for a proposed power project, complain that the manner in which the power company is compensating people in the affected areas is unfair. They want someone with a voice of reason from Government to intervene. The affected communities are demanding for, among other things, negotiations, a revision of compensation rates http://www.observer.ug/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17911:communities-attack-uetcl-over-property&catid=38:business&Itemid=68

Egypt: Plan to Accelerate Development Rates in Nile Basin Countries

Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzouri held a meeting on Monday 9/4/2012 with the Higher Committee on the Nile Water to discuss three main topics. The meeting discussed ways of intensifying Egypt's efforts to promote cooperation with Sudan and Ethiopia in the various fields. The cooperation projects between Egypt and the Nile Basin countries were also tackled during the meeting (10^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204101106.html

Egypt reluctant to sign Nile water-sharing agreement

CAIRO: Egypt's Minster of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hisham Qandeel, reiterated on Friday, Egypt's firm stance of rejecting signing the Entebbe Agreement unless the water security of Egypt and the Sudan is achieved, and until reaching a consensus on the agreement by all the Nile Basin countries. Egypt believes that cooperation between the Nile Basin countries can continue and that there are promising opportunities for integration, cooperation http://masress.com/en/bikyamasr/64587

Tanzania: Rusumo Power Project Explained

Ngara — RUSUMO hydropower project Manager Abdula Kabirdin has called on Ngara district residents, who would be affected by the project, to be patient while preparations for compensation were being made. The project manager was responding to questions raised by some of participants of a one- day meeting to discuss matters related to the project and compensation to the target population. The Tanzania Nile Basin Discourse (TNDF) organized the meeting (6^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204060563.html

Egypt is losing its grip on the Nile

Political uncertainty in post-revolution Egypt is allowing other Nile states to wrest control of the world’s longest river. Until now, Ethiopia has lacked both the technical capacity and the diplomatic support to trap its Blue Nile waters — which give Egypt’s Nile 86 percent of its own flow — for domestic use. A 1959 colonial-era treaty brokered by Great Britain gave Egypt, and to a lesser extent Sudan, unrivaled “historic rights” over nearly all of the Nile River’s resources (9^th April, 2012) http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/egypt/120406/egypt-losing-its-grip-the-nile

Sudan’s Bashir supports Ethiopia’s Nile dam project

March 8, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Despite long-standing protest against its execution, Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, told the newly appointed Ethiopian ambassador to Sudan, Abadi Zemo, that his country supports the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project. According to a statement from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bashir made the announcement while receiving the new Ethiopian envoy to Sudan in Khartoum, where the two sides also held talks on a number of bilateral issues. http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-s-Bashir-supports-Ethiopia-s,41839

Ethiopia: Benishangul Celebrates Grand Dam First Anniverasry

Addis Ababa — The first anniversary of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was celebrated at Guba Woreda of Benishangul-Gumuz State, where the dam is being constructed on Monday with various assortments. Speaking on the occasion President for the National Coordination Council for the Renaissance Dam, Hailemariam Dessalegn called on the public to strengthen its support for the success of the construction of the Dam. (3^rd April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204040421.html

Dons Want Rural Electrification to Speed Up Irrigation Schemes

RURAL electrification will allow majority smallholder farmers to access cheap energy source for irrigation purposes compared to use of fuel or manual pumps which are expensive and inefficient. Researchers from Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) and University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) said in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday that in the wake of unreliable rainfall blamed on climate change, irrigation using underground water should be given priority if struggling smallholder farmers have to continue feeding the country. (4^th April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204040208.html

Egypt: Ganzouri Bans New Establishments, Expansions On Nile

Prime Minister Dr. Kamal El-Ganzouri decided to stop construction of any new establishments or facilities on the Nile or waterways. He also banned any new industrial expansion in the areas close to the waterways in order to protect against pollution. PM Ganzouri also decided not to provide such establishments with any services or facilities such as electricity, drinking water and sanitation. He issued instructions to remove encroachments and unlicensed constructions on the Nile and waterways (31^st March, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204020385.html

Tanzania: Nation Seeks U.S.$815 Million for Power Sector

Dar es Salaam — Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has said it needs at least Tsh1.3 trillion (US$815.82 million) to overhaul its worn out production, transmission and distribution infrastructure around the country. Speaking to East African Business Week in Dar es Salaam recently during the launch of the jointly study by the World Bank and Twaweza, Tanesco's Managing Director, Eng. William Mhando said that the country's current power generation stands at 718MW while the demand is estimated at between 600MW and829MW per day. (2^nd April, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201204021280.html

Nation Rejects Signing Entebbe Agreement

Minster of Water Resources and Irrigation Hisham Qandeel reiterated on Friday 30/03/2012 Egypt's firm stance of rejecting signing the Entebbe agreement unless the water security of Egypt and Sudan is achieved and until reaching a consensus on the agreement by all the Nile Basin countries. http://allafrica.com/stories/201204020326.html

Sudanese negotiating team meet Ethiopia’s Zenawi

April 1, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) - Sudan and South Sudanese government delegations met with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, on Sunday as part of ongoing negotiations between the two countries amid tension on their shared border. The armies of Sudan and South Sudan clashed on 26 March clashed near the oil-rich border town of Heglig despite the “non aggression pact” they signed last February under the African Union (AU) mediation. http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudanese-negotiating-team-meets,42101

Ethiopia Urges Genuine Cooperation on Nile

Addis Ababa, March 30 (WIC) – Ethiopia urged genuine and sustainable regional cooperation among the Nile Riparian Countries to ensure water and energy security in the basin. Speaking at the opening of a national multi-stakeholders forum on climate change, water and energy security in Ethiopia organized by the Nile Basin Discourse, Wondimu Teklie, state minister of Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE), called for a cooperation based on a win-win approach backed by legal and institutional arrangements. http://www.waltainfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2594:ethiopia-urges-genuine-cooperation-on-nile&catid=71:editors-pick&Itemid=396

Egypt: People's Assembly Speaker Leaves for Uganda to Partake in IPU Conference

People's Assembly Speaker Mohamed Saad el-Katatni left Cairo for Kampala on Thursday 29/03/2012 to participate in 126th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) conference, due to kick off on Saturday. The conference is to take up a host of issues, including international peace and security, sustainable development. http://allafrica.com/stories/201203301119.html

Egypt rejects signing Entebbe agreement

Cairo - Minster of Water Resources and Irrigation Hisham Qandeel reiterated on Friday 30/03/2012 Egypt's firm stance of rejecting signing the Entebbe agreement unless the water security of Egypt and Sudan is achieved and until reaching a consensus on the agreement by all the Nile Basin countries. Egypt believes that cooperation between the Nile Basin countries can continue and that there are real promising opportunities for integration, cooperation and partnership for all sides. https://www.arabfinance.com//News/newsdetails.aspx?Id=223789

Qandeel - Tripartite Committee to Evaluate Renaissance Dam Starts Mid May

Irrigation Minister Hisham Qandeel said the Tripartite Committee for evaluating Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam will starts work before mid May 2012. Egypt will host an important meeting next week on the crisis of the Eastern Nile countries in the light of freezing downstream countries activities with Ethiopia after its signing of the framework agreement. (28^th March, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201203290121.html

Egypt: Prime Minister - Authority to Develop South of High Dam Set Up

Prime Minister Kamal el-Ganzouri held on Tuesday 27/3/2012 two meetings to probe the problems of Nubians and means of getting rid of the solid wastes and rubbish in Cairo and some governorates. During the first meeting, Ganzouri gave directives on the necessity of responding to the demands of Nubians, particularly the indemnities for the properties they lost after constructing the High Dam. http://allafrica.com/stories/201203290117.html

Govt to continue importing Nile Basin meat despite syndicate fears

The state veterinary authority has rejected experts’ demands for Egypt to stop importing live cattle and frozen meat from Nile Basin countries, amid suspicion that the imports have led to new foot-and-mouth infections. During a meeting on Wednesday (30^th March, 2012) http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/739861

Egypt: Katatni Calls for Nile Basin Parliaments Speakers to Discuss Water Problems

Parliament Speaker Saad el-Katatni said that Egypt really needs real development in the post-January 25th Revolution stage. Katatni urged starting development in the agricultural sector and taking care of the water issues and irrigation means. Public diplomacy pays great attention to relations between Egypt and the Nile Basin States, said Katatni. This came during the first international conference on "agriculture and irrigation in the Nile Basin States" organized by Menia University on Monday 26/3/2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/201203271243.html

Ethiopia: First Groundbreaking Anniversary of Grand Dam to Be Celebrated

Addis Ababa — The first anniversary of ceremonial laying of the foundation stone for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be celebrated with various assortments enabling to further increase public participation and fund raising for success of construction of the Dam, the National Coordination Council for Renaissance Dam said. Council Executive Committee Member, Redwan Hussein said here on Monday that the vast assortment of activities will include sports and arts. (26^th March, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201203270894.html

NBI Participates in the 6th world Water Forum

The Nile Basin Initiative participated in the just concluded 6th WorldWater Forum (WWF) in Marseille, France from 12th to 17th March 2012. Thegoal of the 6th World Water Forum whose theme was 'Time for Solutions' was to tackle the challenges the world is facing and to bring water high on allpolitical agendas. The NBI High Level delegation was led by the Chairperson of the Nile Council of Ministers, who is also Kenya's Minister of Water and Irrigation, Hon.Charity Kaluki Ngilu. The Delegation was composed of the Nile-COM Member forRwanda, the Nile-TAC Chair, as well as the Nile-TAC member for Ethiopia (20^th March, 2012) http://www.nilebasin.org/newsite/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120%3Anbi-participates-in-the-6th-world-water-forum&catid=40%3Alatest-news&Itemid=84&lang=en

Kenya: Tapping Into Regional Power Key for Country

Interconnecting the region's power sources will be crucial in meeting Kenya's energy demand as it surges towards an estimated 15,000 Megawatts (MW) by the year 2030. Speaking to Capital FM Business, KenGen Managing Director Eddy Njoroge said Kenya Power has already signed an agreement to import 400MW from Ethiopia, as they explore opportunities across the border. (26^th March, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201203270015.html

Irrigation minister flies to Addis Ababa for discussions over Nile dam

Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Hesham Mohamed Qandil left Sunday for Addis Ababa for a visit that will last for few days. He will meet with the water ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. The meetings will tackle the future of water resources in the three countries. Arrangements will be made for contracting four international experts, chosen by a committee formed by the three governments to evaluate the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — formerly known as the Grand Millennium Nile Dam — on the Blue Nile (25^th March, 2012) http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/732426

Egypt to allocate LE 32.5 million for Nile Basin Initiative projects

CAIRO: Egypt`s Minister of Finance Momtaz Saeed, agreed to grant 32.5 Million Egyptian pounds to be allocated for the completion of “enhancements” being made the Nile Basin Initiative along the Nile. Saeed stated on Friday that the grant comes within the framework of Egypt`s policy to strengthen cooperation with the Nile Basin states, and “to support them to implement a number of projects.” (25^th March, 2012) http://masress.com/en/bikyamasr/63488

Rwanda: Kamanzi Calls for Efforts to Safeguard Water Resources

The Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi, has called on communities to work together to improve water resources management. He made the remarks on Thursday during an event to launch the national policy on water resources management and to mark the 19th World Water Day. The policy seeks to ensure protection, conservation, restoration and rational use of water resources to meet the country's medium and long term social economic development (24^th March, 2012) http://allafrica.com/stories/201203240123.html