The Somali Regional State (SRS) Water Bureau and Bahir Dar University, particularly the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology (BiT), have signed a cooperation agreement for the development, implementation, installation, and comprehensive maintenance of a modern SCADA system, which constitutes an important component of the Jigjiga City Water Supply Project – Phase II.

The agreement between the SRS Water Bureau and Bahir Dar University is expected to strengthen technical and knowledge-based collaboration between the two institutions. It will contribute to modernizing the management and operation of the Jigjiga City Water Supply Project – Phase II, improve the efficiency and reliability of water services, and support the sustainable management and provision of water to the residents of Jigjiga City.

The first phase of the project has a budget of 8.8 million Ethiopian Birr. The SCADA system is designed to improve operational efficiency, enhance real-time monitoring, enable timely and informed decision-making, and reduce manual intervention in the management and operation of water pumping systems.

The agreement was officially signed by H.E. Eng. Ahmed Miraad Layli, Head of the Somali Regional State Water Bureau, and Dr. Mitiku Damtie Yehualaw, Scientific Director of Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University.

The agreement also includes technical training for professionals from the Jigjiga City Water Agency, focusing on the management, operation, and effective utilization of the modern SCADA system.