ADDIS ABABA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday conveyed his condolences on the passing of the chief engineer of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Simegnew Bekele, who was found dead in his own car early Thursday, has been the chief engineer of Ethiopia's grand dam since its construction was started in April 2011 on the Blue Nile River.
"Prime Minister Abiy is saddened and utterly shocked to hear the death of Engineer Simegnew Bekele," said Fitsum Arega, chief of staff of the Ethiopian prime minister's office.
Ahmed, who is visiting the United States to engage Ethiopian diaspora community, "offers his condolences to his family and the Ethiopian people," Arega said.
Zeynu Jemal, head of the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission, said investigations are currently underway around Meskel Square in the capital, Addis Ababa, where Bekele's body was found inside his car in the early hours of Thursday.
Jemal said that Bekele was shot dead before his body was found in his own car.
The 6,450 MW hydro dam project, which will be Africa's largest upon completion, is now 66 percent complete, according to the Ethiopian government.
