Upgrades to Kariba Dam, the main source of electricity for Zambia and Zimbabwe, have been set back by at least two years because of technical challenges and supply disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Zambezi River Authority said.
A meeting of ZRA Council of Ministers from the two countries last week cited delays in contracting works, unforeseen technical challenges and supply constraints for the delay, the authority, which regulates water usage, said.
ZRA Council of Ministers comprises Zimbabwe’s Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda and their Zambian counterparts — Finance Minister Bwalya Ng’andu and Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa.
The Ministers approved a budget of $71.3 million
for 2021 that will be financed through a combination of internally generated funds, amortized loans and grants sourced from the World Bank, African Development Bank and the European Union.
The Zambezi River Authority also stressed that the Kariba Dam rehabilitation project remains a complex and essential project with the objective of improving safety and increasing its lifespan.
In a joint communiqué after the 38th meeting held virtually last week, ZRA said delays in various contracting works had been compounded by technical challenges and constraints brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
They were meeting to receive progress reports on the preparatory activities for the implementation of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme, the ongoing Kariba Dam rehabilitation project and to approve the 2021 ZRA budget, among other issues.
The Ministers noted that the authority had continued to carry out various planned projects under the Zambezi Valley Development Fund.
“This is being done as part of an ongoing effort to improve the well-being of the communities that were displaced during the construction of the Kariba Dam. Various projects have been implemented in the areas of irrigation, water supply, health facilities and education which included housing for teaching staff and health workers,” reads the communiqué.
The ZRA council of ministers also noted the significant progress made at Batoka Gorge Hydro-electric Scheme.
“The public disclosure process for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study was completed and the updating of study has commenced whereby a revised report will be submitted to Zambia Environmental Management Agency and Environmental Management Agency (Zimbabwe) by mid-March 2021.” They approved ZRA’s 2021 annual budget of US$71,2 million. The budget shall be finalised through a combination of internally generated funds and amortised loans and grants sourced from cooperating partners of the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union and the Swedish International Development Agency.”
Outgoing ZRA Chairman Minister Soda handed over the rotational chairmanship to incoming chair and Zambian Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa.
Delays equate to more costs to the taxpayer even projects of this nature we have to borrow yet we have $17 million to waste here and $42 million to waste on overpriced contracts…I am sure PF govt is just using covid as a convenient excuse as they are broke.
Next question does it mean load shedding will still carry on…
very understandable delay in these unprecedented times. Only a f00l can find an issue with these risk-based approach to decision making. I am sure you will all join me in laughing at the f00lish comment above
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We just hope that those delays won’t affect the supply of electricity to zero load shedding as has been said
We hope to see continued supply of electricity….
This covid is a blessing to lungu
, I tell you…….
He is trying to mask his whole incompetence with covid…..
Because of covid , this…..covid has caused this….
Noooo , how come every single economic indicator was heading on a downward spiral long before covid ???
Was there going to be a miracle just before covid to reverse all the negative economic numbers ????
Our hope is that there won’t be long interruption of power supply
Hope that doesn’t mean the electricity supply is affected too
The pandemic has really delayed alot of progress
Roads, we borrow money. Bridges we borrow money. Is there anything we can do I’m Zambia with Zero borrowing? This money will be repaid by everyone’s d it is a lot to borrow and put the kids of today as owners of debt.
The delay may bring about other challenges what a blow
PF With it’s misplaced priorities. If you had put some sense of urgency on this, you would have bought some time. Lousy president, lousy PF.
Hope it doesn’t go as far as the estimated 2yrs
This is really bad
CORONA VIRUS, CORONA VIRUS…BLAH BLAH……THIS PROJECT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR BUT DUE TO MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS WORKS CANNOT CONTINUE………… WE ARE NOT DULL PF WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE UP TO ~
Hope this won’t interrupt our power
This is sad hope it won’t interrupt power
Useless govt run by dander heads, what delay, the whole world knows u are broke and can’t pay for sh1t…. Only people Zed don’t see that judging from the comments above… Maybe Brian washed a bit as well
They are preparing you for more load shedding after promising kuti there will be zero load shedding. Apa so we understand they are saying there will be zero load shedding AFTER 2021. Mwamvwa ka?
First by delaying the repair it gets worse thus cost more to repair in the long term just like a road, but yet they have millions to build a new Batoka dam upstream. maybe in 2 years time the Kariba dam will have collapsed and then 50% of our power generation gone. no forward thinking, that’s why the country is broke.
Gayzar Zulu and his gay friends wants you to believe that there is no pandemic, that there is no economic crisis, that the kwacha has not dropped by 200%, that the roads have no potholes, and that Lungu is the best thing since sliced bread. I have news for you, Gayzar, tell your gay friends that you and them will all be in JAIL after the elections!