The government and Power-China International Group have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which water will be transferred from the Luapula River to the Kafue River.
Collins Nzovu, the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, announced this afternoon that the MoU included the development of a comprehensive water plan for the Kafue Catchment, transferring water from the Luapula River to the Kafue River, and addressing the medium to long-term water needs for national energy and food security.
“This partnership will help alleviate the suffering of our people and ensure water security for our nation’s energy and food needs,” Nzovu stated.
The Luapula to Kafue water transfer will be done by building a canal to enable water flow from up north, which has abundant water resources, southward – an area that has increasingly become dry yet houses all of Zambia’s major power-generating assets.
Describing the MoU as a landmark, the minister said his government had taken a significant step towards addressing the drought disaster and emergency declared six months ago. “Today, August 28, 2024, we have signed a landmark MoU with Power-China International Group Limited to develop a comprehensive water plan for the Kafue Catchment and transfer water from the Luapula River to the Kafue River.”
The development should elate many Zambians who have long wondered why water cannot be taken from the north to the south.
Other information gathered by Zambian Digest indicates that the feasibility studies to build the canal are underway and are expected to be completed in 18 months.
