Walter Nyamukondiwa Kariba Bureau
A high level delegation comprising European Union, World Bank representatives and Ministers of Energy from Zimbabwe and Zambia has toured the US$300 million Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project to assess progress.

The delegation held a closed door meeting in Siavonga, Zambia to review progress on rehabilitation of the dam’s plunge pool which was being corroded by falling water, threatening to undercut its base whenever floodgates are opened.

European Union Ambassador to Zambia and Comesa Jacek Jankowski, Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda, his Zambian counterpart Matthew Nkhuwa, World Bank country manager Mr Sahr Kpundeh and Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) chief executive Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa.

Eng Munodawafa said the project was progressing well after initial setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic which affected procurement of some of materials from China and Europe.

The project is jointly funded by the ZRA, World Bank, African Development Bank, the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency and the European Union.

At least five pillars of the coffer dam which is expected to help clear water for work on rehabilitating the plunge pool have been erected while three others are at various stages of being constructed for installation.

The project is expected to be complete in 2024.