Kessem irrigation project which consumed 2.6 billion Birr and constructed by Water Works Construction is 99 percent completed and has started giving service. This was disclosed by the resident engineer of the project Jegsa Deyisa.

The dam is built on the tributaries of the Awash River and it took 10 years. Upon completion the dam will have a capacity of storing 500 million meter cubic water.

Thus far a total of 5,000 hectares of land has been cultivated with sugar cane using the dam. Nonetheless, this figure is expected to rise to 20,000 hectares by June.

According to Fana Broadcasting Corporate, the project took 10 years due to due to harshness of the environment and a rise in financing the project.

Main gate and fencing work of the dam will be done this fiscal year in order to complete the project.

Source: Fana Broadcasting Corporate