Radio Erena: 27 February 2015
500 families lost their houses due to a dam construction project in the Kessalla region near Wed El Hiluw areas bordering Eritrea set out by the government of Sudan which is to be used as a source of electric power.
Sudanese government officials emphasize the project site is chosen for its strategic location to accumulate water streaming from the higher areas of the Atbara and Setit rivers.
The construction project is also expected to affect thousands of other Sudanese nationals in the El Fashgan and Gedarf areas.
Although the government pointed out the 320 Mega Watts power-generating-project is part of its development program in the Eastern region of the country, many criticize the project as out-of-touch which does not put the lives of so many nationals in to consideration.
Reports from the area indicate the 500 people forced out of their houses on the 21st of February, mostly farmers and businessmen, did not get any sort of compensation from the government.
According to the reports, the government of Sudan plans to sell out electric power to the Eritrean town of Tessennai and others in the area.
Sudan is reported to have signed a deal to purchase power supplies from Ethiopia. It is also to be recalled that it has sealed a deal to sell power supplies to Eritrea.
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