Ondjiva - The implementation of the Programme to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola will contribute to water security for more than 50 percent of the population affected by the cyclical and prolonged drought in Cunene province, the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges said on Sunday.
The governor was speaking in the municipality of Cuvelai, on the sidelines of the visit to evaluate the works of the Nduê dam, by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
He mentioned three structuring projects in the province, noting that after the inauguration of the Cafu transfer system, in 2022, work is underway on the Nduê and Calucuve dams, in the Cuvelai basin, with two associated channels.
He clarified that Ndue will have a channel with a length of 75 kilometers, covering the entire territory from Cuvelai to Cuanhama, while Calucuve is 110 kilometers, to Namacunde, and several chimpacas.
According to the minister, the two projects will make it possible to accumulate 240 million cubic metres of water, to be distributed to communities living along this route, as well as for irrigation of agricultural fields and watering of livestock.
He made it known that the project, valued at more than US$1 billion, including Cafu, is a solution for the future, and the Government will save emergency support expenses that, in 2014 alone, totalled more than US$220 million in support of more than 530,000 people affected by the drought.
'Here is a structuring program that will change the geography of Cunene, allowing its inhabitants and border communities of Huíla and Cuando Cubango to settle in these areas to produce in agriculture and livestock and ensure the necessary food security,' he said.
In addition to these projects, he recalled that the works of the Cova do Leão dam are being carried out, which will accumulate water in the Caculuvale basin in the rainy season, benefiting the populations of Cahama (headquarters), Octhinjau, Oncócua and Chitado.
In this project, a distribution network, water treatment system for household supply to the village of Cahama will be created, as well as the construction of 90 kilometers of closed pipeline to Otchinjau.
As for Oncócua (municipal headquarters of Curoca), the program includes a system of water holes, to be connected to the distribution network for homes.
In parallel, seven small dams built in the colonial era are being repaired, five of which have already been completed, which are ensuring the supply of the population and the watering of livestock.
According to the minister, for Chitado the collection plant is under construction, from the Cunene River, which will pump water to the village.
The most advanced project is Nduê, with 74.5 percent of execution and completion scheduled for this year, while the pipelines with execution of three percent will be completed next year.
Nduê dam, with 74.5 percent of execution and completion scheduled for this year, is the project that show more progress, while the pipelines with execution of three percent will be completed next year.
The Calucuve dam, with physical execution levels of 44.7 percent and financial execution levels of 41.2 percent, will be completed in May 2025.
Regarding Cova do Leão, it is a work that is delayed due to some technical constraints linked to the location of the dam, which had to be reviewed. It is expected to be completed in 2026.
In addition to Cunene, the Programme to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola (PCESSA) includes the provinces of Huíla and Namibe, whose projects are targeted, budgeted and contracted, awaiting execution, which depends on the financial component.
The President of the Republic completed a three-day working day in Cunene, where, in addition to visiting the Nduê dam, he inaugurated the 'Simione Mucune' General Hospital and guided the meeting of the Local Governance Council. FI/FA/LHE/VC/DOJ
