Kariba Dam-wall rehabilitation project on course

Work on the Kariba dam-wall rehabilitation project, which is expected to ensure the dam's longevity and long term efficient operation, is now 60 percent complete, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) has said.

The rehabilitation project, which commenced in 2017, comprises the reshaping of the plunge pool and the refurbishing of the spillway gates.

The US$294 million project is being funded by the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, the government of Sweden, and the ZRA on behalf of the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, through a combination of grants and loans.

The authority, which manages the Kariba Dam on behalf of the Zimbabwean and Zambian governments, said the re-shaping of the plunge pool, for example, would help minimise erosion which can undercut the dam foundations.

"The plunge pool reshaping works commenced in May 2017and are being carried out by Razel Bec, a French civil engineering construction company. The works are targeted for completion before the end of 2024. The project is on course and the works are 60 percent complete," the ZRA said.

"On the other hand, the spill way refurbishment works commenced in September 2019. The contract is being implemented by a consortium of GE Hydro of France and Freyssinet International of France. The works are targeted to be completed by 2024."

The ZRA said while the project was minimally affected by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the second wave had not yet hindered work progress.

"From inception to date, over 218 Zambian and Zimbabwean nationals have been employed at the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project site, a total of 33 expatriates are currently working with the Zambian and Zimbabwean nationals," it said.