via EU, WB, ADB to pour over $100m into Kariba Dam rehabilitation November 18, 2014
THE European Union, World Bank and Africa Development Bank will pour over $100 million into the rehabilitation of Kariba Dam, a government official has said.
Speaking at the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe analysts’ briefing, Energy and Power Development permanent secretary Partson Mbiriri said he had attended a meeting in Siavonga on Friday on the rehabilitation of Kariba Dam.
“The rehabilitation will be in the first half of next year with the support of EU giving us well over $100 million and World Bank and Africa Development Bank. Because of our particular situation some of the money will be directed to Zambia and Zambia will on lend to Zambezi River Authority. Our mandate is to have the work done,” he said.
Mbiriri said if it was not for the debtors that owe Zesa Holdings close to $1 billion the government would have been doing its things quietly.
He commended Zesa and said it has transformed and would be a blue chip soon.
“Zesa is a $80 million business and its turning into a blue chip. Just give Zesa a bit of time and Zesa will be there,” Mbiriri said.
The Kariba Dam wall rehabilitation is expected to cost $294,2 million for the six spill gates and remodeling of the plunge pool.
Mbiriri told journalists in Kariba that the remodeling of the pool would cost $125 million while the remainder would be used for the refurbishments of the spill gates.
He said the refurbishments were necessary as the equipment was outdated having been in place since the 1950s.
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