The Zambezi River Authority (Authority) has observed with great concern online public campaigns by some stakeholders aimed at frustrating the efforts leading to the sustainable implementation of this multi-billion-dollar 2400MW hydro power project, which seeks to address the adverse power challenges affecting the people and economic activities in Zambia, Zimbabwe and the SADC region as a whole.
In the recent past, the Authority’s consultants, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), carried out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Project after which ESIA disclosure meetings were held with different stakeholder groups in the two Contracting States. The disclosure process is a Statutory requirement in the two countries, administered by the respective environmental regulatory agencies, namely, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) of Zimbabwe.
In view of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, engagement methods included virtual and in-person meetings as guided by the said Environmental Regulatory Agencies. The stakeholders freely expressed themselves and their concerns were documented. The draft ESIA report was released for comments on 3rd March 2020, and the public was given up to 25th January 2021 to submit any concerns and comments regarding the planned implementation of the project.