The company China National Complete Engineering (CCEC) has just notified the Zambian government that work on the site of the Kafulafuta dam, which is intended to supply drinking water to several towns in the province of Copperbelt, has been halted.
In Zambia, the Kafulafuta dam project is behind schedule. This is due to the halt of work on the site by the company China National Complete Engineering (CCEC). The Chinese company has sent an official letter to the Zambian government confirming that work will stop on February 5, 2020.
According to CCEC, lack of funding is the reason for the work suspension. This version is disputed by the authorities, who instead mention meteorological reasons. According to Japhen Mwakalombe, the minister of the Copperbelt province, stopping the work is due to heavy rains that are currently falling in some East African countries. However, the 450 workers and 50 subcontractors on the site are now out of work.
An important project for the Copperbelt Province
The construction of the Kafulafuta Dam requires an investment of $450 million. The government is financing this project with the support of Exim Bank of China. The dam will be capable of retaining 125 million m³ of water on the Kafulafuta River. Two pumping stations will be built in the reservoir. The pumped water will supply four drinking water plants. These facilities will be capable of supplying 300,000 m³ of drinking water per day.
CCEC will also have to rehabilitate and extend the drinking water distribution networks, mainly in the districts of Masaiti, Mpongwe, Ndola and Luanshya. In areas not served by the drinking water distribution network, CCEC will lay new pipes. A total of one million people are expected to benefit from this project in Zambia.
Jean Marie Takouleu
