News / National
Kariba dam rehabilitation begins in 2015
27 Oct 2014 at 15:30hrs | Views
The rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam wall is set to begin by May next year after cooperating partners pledged to avail the estimated funding of US$280 million.
The commitment by cooperating partners emerged after officials from the Zambezi River Authority met with representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB), the European Union(EU) and the Swedish Embassy in Zambia.
Under the discussions, the EU pledged to mobilise US$100 million, while the World Bank group and the ADB proposed to finance US$75 million each.
The government of Sweden is considering availing US$30 million, while the Zambezi River Authority will finance the balance for the project.
In an interview with the ZBC News, Zambezi River Authority CEO, Mr Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the rehabilitation of the plunge pool will resume in May next year.
"The outcome of the meetings between the two governments and the cooperating partners is positive. A number of issues relating to implementation were discussed to ensure the rehabilitation works are adequately funded," he said.
The Kariba Dam and hydro-electric scheme was constructed across the Zambezi river between 1956 and 1959 and has been central to energy security and supporting economic development in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
After 50 years of operation serving the southern African region, the dam now requires rehabilitation and failure to invest in the timely rehabilitation of the dam will result in the gradual degradation of key dam safety features to a level below international standards.
The commitment by cooperating partners emerged after officials from the Zambezi River Authority met with representatives from the World Bank, African Development Bank (ADB), the European Union(EU) and the Swedish Embassy in Zambia.
Under the discussions, the EU pledged to mobilise US$100 million, while the World Bank group and the ADB proposed to finance US$75 million each.
The government of Sweden is considering availing US$30 million, while the Zambezi River Authority will finance the balance for the project.
In an interview with the ZBC News, Zambezi River Authority CEO, Mr Munyaradzi Munodawafa said the rehabilitation of the plunge pool will resume in May next year.
"The outcome of the meetings between the two governments and the cooperating partners is positive. A number of issues relating to implementation were discussed to ensure the rehabilitation works are adequately funded," he said.
The Kariba Dam and hydro-electric scheme was constructed across the Zambezi river between 1956 and 1959 and has been central to energy security and supporting economic development in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
After 50 years of operation serving the southern African region, the dam now requires rehabilitation and failure to invest in the timely rehabilitation of the dam will result in the gradual degradation of key dam safety features to a level below international standards.
Source - zbc
