Prioritization of Water Use Rights in Ethiopia: Exploring the Perspectives and Practices in the Governance of Awash River Basin

Abstract

Water governance mainly strives to ensure equitable and efficient allocation and prioritization of use rights. The scarcity of water resources in any setting can be a cause for conflict, wastage, depletion, and/or pollution. Prioritization of water use rights is considered as important principle of water governance to protect the human right to water, accommodate interests, avoid conflict, wastage and allocate available volume of water to potential users. This article explores the perspectives and practices of prioritization approach of water governance in Awash River basin. Qualitative research approach was employed, and the findings indicate that there are multiple interpretations by the key actors of the priority ladder amidst general and insufficient policy and legal frameworks. The practice also indicates that water allocation plan for the medium and large-scale water users are stated on papers whereas actual allocations are made based on convenience. It is critical to devise water reform and set prioritizing principles and standards. Moreover there is the need to apply the most feasible and comprehensive approach in water governance and avail the essential resources and technologies.