Zambia moves to save Kariba from collapse

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Zambian government has enlisted the World Bank, European Union, African Development Bank and other agencies to help prevent imminent collapse of Kariba Dam

LUSAKA – The Zambian government has enlisted the World Bank, European Union, African Development Bank and other agencies to help prevent the imminent collapse of Kariba Dam in Siavonga.

Answering questions at a media briefing in Lusaka on Friday, Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda said the government was aware of the risks associated with Kariba Dam which had developed cracks and was working with co-operating partners to address the problem.

He said the collapse of the dam would be a huge setback for Zambia and all the countries in the region.

“Pledges have been made and we are actively discussing this with our co-operating partners,” he said.

The hydro-electric dam, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe, threatens the lives of 3,5 million people in the region. Finance ministry permanent secretary, Felix Nkulukusa, who is also chairperson of an inter-governmental committee mobilising funds for the repair of the dam, said recently that the wall of Kariba Dam, had developed weaknesses and may collapse if nothing was done to repair it in the next three years.

Kariba has one of the world’s largest dams wall measuring 128m in height and 579m long.

“We are told by engineers that if nothing is done in the next three years, the dam may be swept away,” he said.

The dam situated in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe needs $250 million to be repaired.

Some experts say the dam, which controls 40% of the total runoff of the Zambezi River, would also have a pushback effect on Zambezi’s major tributary, the Kafue River, which may result in the submersion of Lusaka Province, where the Zambian capital, Lusaka is located.

Meanwhile, the Zambezi River Authority has moved to calm fears that the dam would collapse, saying there was no need for “alarm” over the issue.

In a short statement the joint Zambia and Zimbabwe Kariba dam regulatory body said: “We would like to inform the public that comments in the media which said Kariba Dam wall faces collapse were made during a roundtable discussion with co-operating partners.

“Scenarios were presented on what could happen should rehabilitation works not be taken up with urgency. Please, do not be alarmed.

“Measures are underway to start the rehabilitation process in the third quarter of the year.

“The meeting at which these issues were presented was to raise funds for the works to start around September.” – Times of Zambia/ New Zimbabwe