News / National
Kariba dam maintenance could cost US$220 million
05 May 2014 at 17:55hrs | Views
The maintenance work at Kariba Dam is expected to commence by the end of this year at an estimated cost of US$220 million.
Plans for the rehabilitation of the dam were revealed during the tour of France by the Zambezi River Authority board and executives.
The tour was conducted with a view to learn from other organisations that operate similar projects for the future developments of Batoka and the Devil's gorges along the Zambezi river.
Addressing the travelling media in France, Zambezi River Authority Board Chairman, Mr Partson Mbiriri, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, said US$220 million is required to carry out the rehabilitation process.
"US$220 million will be used towards reshaping the plunge pool and installing new gates which have not been changed since the construction of the dam wall in the 1950s. Work carried out at the dam was sponsored to the tune of US$2 million and some of the work is ongoing. The rehabilitation of Kariba Dam will take approximately two years before completion," he said.
Zambezi River Authority co-Board Chairperson, Ms Charity Mwansa, who is also Zambia's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development in Zambia, allayed any fears on the state of the dam, adding that the maintenance will ensure the safety of the public.
"We are here to ensure that we learn from what others have done such that we improve our systems. If we don't do anything about the dam we are actually putting people downstream in danger," she said.
The Zambezi River Authority is embarking on a seven-day study tour of dam management organisations in France and Italy in preparation for the rehabilitation works to be undertaken at the Kariba Dam.
The team is expected to have a clear appreciation of the roles between dam operators and emergency management authorities regarding the impact of controlled and uncontrolled water releases on downstream communities.
Plans for the rehabilitation of the dam were revealed during the tour of France by the Zambezi River Authority board and executives.
The tour was conducted with a view to learn from other organisations that operate similar projects for the future developments of Batoka and the Devil's gorges along the Zambezi river.
Addressing the travelling media in France, Zambezi River Authority Board Chairman, Mr Partson Mbiriri, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, said US$220 million is required to carry out the rehabilitation process.
"US$220 million will be used towards reshaping the plunge pool and installing new gates which have not been changed since the construction of the dam wall in the 1950s. Work carried out at the dam was sponsored to the tune of US$2 million and some of the work is ongoing. The rehabilitation of Kariba Dam will take approximately two years before completion," he said.
Zambezi River Authority co-Board Chairperson, Ms Charity Mwansa, who is also Zambia's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development in Zambia, allayed any fears on the state of the dam, adding that the maintenance will ensure the safety of the public.
"We are here to ensure that we learn from what others have done such that we improve our systems. If we don't do anything about the dam we are actually putting people downstream in danger," she said.
The Zambezi River Authority is embarking on a seven-day study tour of dam management organisations in France and Italy in preparation for the rehabilitation works to be undertaken at the Kariba Dam.
The team is expected to have a clear appreciation of the roles between dam operators and emergency management authorities regarding the impact of controlled and uncontrolled water releases on downstream communities.
Source - zbc
