The idea of establishing a Dam at the fourth cataract is an old one. However, the practical steps may be traced back to the 1980s. The following part presents a chronology of development of the administrative steps which were taken to make this dream a reality:

Appointment of an Engineer in Charge (1984):

Engineer Isam Mustafa was appointed by the Ministry of Irrigation in 1984 to follow up the pre-feasibility study conducted by SWECO Company.

The Project Steering Committee:

The Ministry of Irrigation and the National Electricity Corporation formed a Steering Committee headed by Dr. Mohamed El Amin. The Committee took over the Project’s Assignment and signed a contract with the Monenco Aqra Company (Canada) to conduct the feasibility study. It also signed another contract with the Hydro-Project Institute (Russia) to prepare the design. A sub-committee was formed to study the resettlement options.

Project Implementation Corporation:

On 26^th Nov. 1994, the President of the Republic, on the recommendation of the Minister of Irrigation, agreed to appoint the executive administrations for the Merowe Dam Implementation Corporation, under the leadership of Mr. El Tayeb Taj El Din.

A Promotional Executive Unit:

On 27^th Feb. 1999, the President of the Republic issued an Edict to establish a Promotional Executive Unit, at the Ministry of Energy, to carry on the implementation of the Dam. Mr. Osama Abdullah M. El Hassan was appointed on the same day as an Executive Director of the project with a status of a Minister of State.

The Unit was made responsible for the technical, administrative and financial issues related     to the construction of the dam, in addition to the resettlement of the affected population.  This includes the following responsibilities:

-      Full responsibility of all technical, administrative and financial activities related to execution of the Dam’s Project and the resettlement of the affected population. 

-      Prepare general plans to supervise all the Dam’s construction schedule, the resettlement projects, and all the popular activities related to it; and submit those plans and programs to the Higher Political Committee for approval.

-      Follow-up with the contacted bodies and government specialized agencies on the completion of the survey activities, studies, and technical designs.

-      Prepare and execute the Project’s plans and programs meant for investment and project economics, and conduct aggressive promotion to find the necessary funding to execute the Project. The Unit should take all necessary measures to select the competent companies, to execute the Project after endorsement from the Higher Political Committee.  

-         Prepare periodical progress reports for the developments on the Project and submit it  to the Higher Political Committee.

In addition to any other responsibility that falls within the frame of Project execution, that the Minister mandates to the Unit or the Higher Political Committee.

Transfer of the Dams Responsibility to the Ministry of Irrigation-2001

On 21^st Oct. 2001, the President of the Republic issued Republican Decree No. (78), appointing Mr. Osama Abdullah M. El Hassan as a Minister of State at the Ministry of Irrigation and an Executive Director of Merowe Dam Project Implementation Unit. He was mandated to present a structure for the Unit, and take all necessary steps to appoint qualified personnel, and prepare a proposal on the funding and promotion of the project.

On 29^th Dec. 2001, Mr. Osama Abdullah the Minister of State at the Ministry of Irrigation and the Executive Director of the Project, issued a directive appointing Engineer Mohamed Hassan El Hadari as a Deputy Executive Director.

 

Establishment of Dams Implementation Units (DIU)-2005

     In the most recent development, President El Bashir issued a Republican Decree No. 217 for 2005, on 18^th Sept. 2005, establishing the Dams Implementation Unit. The Decree stipulates that an alternative Unit for MDPIU would be formed. This Unit inherits all the fixed and movable assets of the MDPIU, and all its rights and obligations. It should also absorb all the working force currently employed by MDPIU, and preserve their rights.

This newly formed unit is supervised by a Higher Political Committee headed by the President of the Republic and his Deputy as a Deputy Chairman and the membership of the following figures: The Ministers of Irrigation, Finance, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Energy; in addition to a representative for the Southern Government, Sudan's Bank Governor, Governors (Wali) of concerned States, the Executive Director of the Unit, in addition to two experts to be appointed by the President.

The Decree also states that all funding agreements, and contracts with consultants, contractors, suppliers that were signed by the MDPIU should be binding for the Dams Implementation Unit, and the Government of Sudan until they are fully executed.