The Angolan government has recently launched a major drinking water project in the southern province of Kunene. It is set to invest up to $500 million to improve drinking water supplies in other provinces of Angola.
In Angola, the implementation of a drinking-water supply project will begin in a few days’ time in the southern province of Kunene. This is one of the government’s flagship projects under the emergency plan to combat the effects of drought in southern Angola. The current project is being carried out by international and local companies.
It is Sinohydro, a Chinese company, which will build a dam on the Kunene River, which originates in Angola and ends its journey in the Atlantic Ocean, passing through northern Namibia. The company, which employs more than 127,000 people, will install a water intake in the reservoir. It will be equipped with a pipe and a canal between the town of Cafu and Cuamato. Synohydro will also build 10 water tanks in Kunene province. The value of the contract obtained by the Chinese giant is $65.70 million.
A $500 million investment for several provinces
Following the implementation of the drought emergency plan in southern Angola, the government plans to launch other drinking water projects across the country. The work will be carried out in the provinces of Luanda, Benguela, Malanje, Moxico, Kwanza Norte, Uíge and Huíla.
The government plans to invest $500 million to build drinking water systems in the cities of the provinces involved in the project. These facilities are expected to provide drinking water to 7.5 million people. According to Lucrécio da Costa, Secretary of State for Water, the government has already raised 50% of the funds needed to implement the entire project. The other part of the budget will be available from December 2019. The Angolan government plans to rely on loans from Germany, Spain, India and Japan.
Lucrécio da Costa, who was recently on a working visit to Huíla province, said that drinking water supply works are underway in the cities of Cabinda, Zaire, Huambo, Bié and Lunda Norte.
Jean Marie Takouleu
