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Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Zimbabwe and Zambia have resolved to expand the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) board and council of ministers as the two countries prepare for the Batoka power project. ZRA board secretary for corporate services Mr Peter Kapinga told journalists here recently that a resolution had been passed to include the two countries’ ministers of water and their permanent secretaries in the ZRA council of ministers and board, respectively.
A need has arisen to include the ministers of water from both countries who have not been members of the council. Water and energy are Siamese twins; hence, we can’t leave out that ministry because either side tends to lose out in terms of development.
Also, for the authority to benefit, it is important that we include the two ministers,” he said.

Mr Kapinga said the council of ministers, which currently has four ministers, would be expanded to six once the resolution is approved.

Two more permanent secretaries from either country, he said, would also be seconded to add to the current six-member board.
The council of ministers will soon meet to adopt the resolution after which both countries’ legislators will ratify it.
“We expect the council of ministers to convene next month to adopt the resolution, which will then be pushed to both parliaments for amendments to be done to the ZRA Act,” he said.

Meanwhile, ZRA has roped in Hwange Rural District Council and the Victoria Falls Municipality, which are directly linked to the project in order to get buy-in from all stakeholders.

ZRA chief executive officer Mr Munyaradzi Munodawafa said engagement with possible contractors was underway, with actual work set to begin next year.

The Batoka Gorge power project will see two stations being constructed to produce a combined 2 400MW to be shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The dam wall, which will be located 54 kilometres downstream from Victoria Falls, will be 181 metres high, a safe height to avoid flooding the resort town.

About 6 000 jobs are expected to be created for citizens of both countries, with ZRA pledging to empower locals on either side of the Zambezi River.
ZRA was borne out of the disbanded Central African Power Corporation (CAPCO) in 1987 and is co-owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia.

It is mandated to manage water and other projects along the Zambezi River, which the neighbouring countries share.