Lusaka, 22 November 2017 – The Zambezi River Authority, which operates, maintains and manages the Kariba Dam on behalf of the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, hosted the 6th technical Joint Mission of multiple stakeholders directly involved in the implementation of the $294 million Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) in early November at Siavonga, Zambia. The joint missions monitor the implementation of the KDRP and provide professional scrutiny and technical guidance from some of the world’s top experts in the technical fields related to the project to ensure it complies with international dam safety standards.
“Progress on the KDRP is steady with the plunge pool currently in the implementation phase and the spillway refurbishment works under procurement,” comments Eng. Munyaradzi Munodawafa, Chief Executive of the Zambezi River Authority. “The KDRP which will contribute to the improved performance and longevity of the dam will take another eight years and is expected to be completed in 2025, according to the current project schedule.”
The Joint Mission was attended by members of the panel of experts which provides technical guidance and advice in the areas of engineering, concrete technology, hydrology and the social and environmental aspects of infrastructure projects, amongst others; the project financiers; the National Authorising Office of the European Development Fund, the contracting party for the plunge pool works; Stucky Ltd, the consulting engineers providing technical services and supervising the KDRP works; Tractebel, consulting engineers and long-term advisors to the ZRA; Razel-BEC, the contractors carrying out the plunge pool works, and the Zambian and Zimbabwean power utilities.
The KDRP, which is funded jointly by the European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, the Swedish government and the Zambezi River Authority on behalf of the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, comprises two components: the plunge pool reshaping and the refurbishment of the spillway.
The plunge pool reshaping is in the implementation phase following the appointment of the contractor, Razel-BEC, earlier this year. Site establishment – the construction of the site offices, accommodation, workshops - is well underway and the construction of the access road to the plunge pool is imminent following agreement on the proposed route of the road.
The spillway refurbishment works is in the procurement phase with the tender launch date expected to be in December 2017, allowing for the works contract to be awarded by mid-2018, according to the current project schedule.
For over 50 years the Kariba Dam has been central to regional energy security and economic development. In 2018 it celebrates its 60th anniversary.
Ends.
For additional information, please contact:
Elizabeth Karonga, Public Relations and Communications Manager
Zambezi River Authority
E-mail: karonga@zaraho.org.zm
Mobile (Zim): +263 773002978
Mobile (Zam): +260 977 318735
Office: +260 211 230551
