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Zambian govt in U-turn over Kariba

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THE Zambian government on Tuesday made a U-turn on its earlier claims that the Kariba Dam was facing imminent collapse,

THE Zambian government on Tuesday made a U-turn on its earlier claims that the Kariba Dam was facing imminent collapse, saying there was no need to panic as the dam wall was “stable”.

By Everson Mushava Chief Reporter

Addressing journalists during a tour jointly organised by Zimbabwean and Zambian governments, Zambia’s Mines and Energy minister Christopher Yaluma said: “There is clearly no need for alarm. We had been monitoring the performance of the dam. I don’t know the source of what has been suggested in the Zambian media.”

He, however, said a total of $230 million was required to repair the dam’s plunge pool.

Last week, Zambian Finance ministry’s permanent secretary Felix Nkulukusa told the local media that the dam wall had developed serious structural weaknesses and could collapse within three years, endangering the lives of over 3,5 million living along the Zambezi River.

Yaluma said while the situation at Kariba Dam remained a cause for concern, engineers were on the ground to put the situation under control.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Zambian delegation, Zimbabwe’s Energy and Power Development minister Dzikamai Mavhaire said: “The governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe would like to inform the general public and all stakeholders that the Kariba Dam is in a stable state.

“The two governments have been proactive in addressing dam maintenance and, as such, tender designs for the above works were completed at the end of 2013.

“Implementation of the works is expected to commence at the beginning of 2015 with the support of co-operating partners.

“The reshaping of the plunge pool is expected to be completed by end of 2017 while the spillway refurbishiment will take about six years as only one gate can be worked on per year so as to allow for the possibility of spilling.

“These works are estimated to cost $230 million,” Mavhaire said.

He said the two countries attached great importance to the dam and would not allow the possibility of it to be washed away.