The Zambezi River Authority hosted the 6th technical Joint Mission of stakeholders directly involved in the implementation of the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project (KDRP) at Lake Kariba Inns, Siavonga from 06 to 09 November.
Included were 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 spillway refurbishment.
The plunge pool reshaping is currently 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 is in the procurement phase with the tender expected to be launched to the prequalified bidders imminently with the aim of awarding the works contract in mid-2018.
The KDRP will ensure the longevity of the dam and its contribution to energy security and the economic prosperity of Zambia and Zimbabwe and the broader southern African region.
