The Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) Council of Ministers have approved an US $81 million budget for 2020 fiscal year, with the main expenditure being allocated to the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam.

And Zimbabwe have assumed the chairpersonship of the ZRA Council of Ministers for next year.

According to the ZRA’s 37th Communiqué released, Friday, the ZRA Council of Ministers (COM), who sat and deliberated various issues for implementation ahead of next year on the same day, an US $81 million budget for 2020 was approved, with the main expenditure being allocated to the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam, among other activities.

“The COM considered and approved a budget of US $81 million for the year 2020, with the main expenditure being allocated to the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam and the ongoing preparatory activities for the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme. The COM noted the impact of the hydrological situation at the Kariba on the revenues of the ZRA, which come mainly from water sales to the utilities,” the Communiqué, signed both Zambia and Zimbabwe’s Energy and Finance Ministers, read.

“The COM noted the progress made on the works aimed at ensuring the continued safe operation of Kariba Dam with works on the plunge pool reshaping targeted for completion in the year 2021, whilst the second component of the rehabilitation project, the spillway refurbishment works council will be completed in 2023.”

On progress made on the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme, the Council of Ministers noted progress had been made with two milestones achieved so far.

“The COM noted progress on the development of the Batoka Gorge Hydro-Electric Scheme following the award of the project development contract to the Consortium of Power Construction Corporation of China and General Electric. The COM noted that engagements between ZRA, the developer and the power utilities were already underway with the following key milestones having been achieved: evaluation of the developer’s project development proposal and conclusion of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Authority and the developer,” stated the Communiqué.

And Zimbabwe assumed the chairpersonship of the ZRA Council of Ministers for next year in line with the seat’s annual rotation.

“The 2020 Chairpersonship of the COM of Ministers of the ZRA was handed over to Zimbabwe. The Chairpersonship rotates annually, therefore, Hon. Mathew Nkhuwa, MP, the outgoing chairperson, handed over to the incoming chairperson, Hon. Fortune Chasi, MP, Minister of Energy and Power Development assumed the role of the Chairpersonship of the ZRA COM for the year 2020,” read the Communiqué.