KABERUKA

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

THE African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged to assist Zambia and Zimbabwe source US$250 million for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam.
AfDB president Donald Kaberuka said the institution would accelerate the mobilisation of $250 million and assured the two governments of continued support towards the rehabilitation of the Dam.
Dr Kaberuka wa speaking during a visit to the Kariba Dam complex on the Zambezi River in Siavonga yesterday.
He said the European Union (EU), the World Bank and AfDB would ensure that the financial resources were moblised.
The EU would provide $100 million while the World Bank and AfDB would each contribute $75 million.
“We will give you the maximum support in raising the funds because of the urgent need to carry out the rehabilitation works,” Dr Kaberuka said.
Dr Kaberuka said Zambia and Zimbabwe should ensure that a proper environmental social impact assessment was carried out.
“You should ensure that technical research is carried out to ensure that proper works are done and the environmental social impact
assessment is done before you begin to undertake the works on Kariba Dam,” he said.
Dr Kaberuka said the two governments should also ensure that the resources were mobilised as soon as possible.
The successful implementation of the rehabilitation works would not only remove the risk of flooding the downstream communities of Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi but ensure the continued supply of power in the region.
At the same function, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda echoed the need for quick mobilisation of resources to rehabilitate the dam wall.
“We should move quickly and find the money for the rehabilitation of the plunged wall,” Mr Chikwanda said.
Meanwhile, Mr Chikwanda reiterated calls for some donor countries to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe to enable its economy to grow.
He said it was high time Western countries gave Zimbabwe space to develop its economy.
And Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers chairperson Dzikamai Mavhaire said Zambia and Zimbabwe had funded remedial works as stop-gap measures.
Mr Mavhaire, who is Zimbabwe Minister of Energy and Power Development,
recognised and appreciated the leading role played by Zambia in helping to mobilise the needed resources.
The rehabilitation works are expected to start in June next year.