Cuvelai: The Ndue and Calucuve dams, under construction in the municipality of Cuvelai, Cunene province, are scheduled to become operational in July of this year, the Minister of Energy and Water, Joo Baptista Borges, announced on Wednesday. In statements to the press, on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Chitado municipality's Water Supply System, the minister said that in terms of structures, the dams are practically complete, awaiting only their operationalization.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the minister emphasized that a favorable rainy season has allowed the reservoirs to reach satisfactory water levels, enabling the projects to move forward. The Ndue and Calucuve dams are significant water storage infrastructures in Cunene, designed to hold substantial quantities of water and facilitate distribution through 185 kilometers of canals. These projects are expected to help regulate the Cuvelai River's flow, mitigating flooding issues in Ondjiva.
The minister further acknowledged the progress in completing the hydraulic systems and rainwater retention wells along the canal route. He noted that repair work on some canal sections, damaged by heavy rains, is also nearing completion. By June, all necessary works should be finalized, allowing the dams to begin operations in July, which will be a significant development for the province.
Joo Baptista Borges highlighted the importance of these infrastructures, despite needing additional rainy seasons to fully utilize their storage capacities. He also pointed out the broader economic and social benefits, particularly for agriculture and livestock, with the construction of the Hita Hita dam. The minister mentioned plans to relocate families currently living dispersed along the canals and waterholes once the dam projects are completed.
The Ndue Dam, with a 30-month execution period, spans 17.14 square kilometers, standing 23.51 meters tall, and can store 170 million cubic meters of water. It includes a network of 75 kilometers of canals reaching Namacunde and other municipalities, providing water to 55,000 residents, 60,000 cattle, and irrigating 9,200 hectares. The project, costing 192 million dollars, is expected to create 591 direct jobs.
Meanwhile, the Calucuve Dam, with a 20-month execution period and a budget of 177 million dollars, will stand 29.80 meters high and extend 2,270 meters in length. It will feature a reservoir with a capacity of 141 cubic meters, a 110-kilometer water supply canal, and 22 water pumps, servicing over 80,000 people and about 182,000 cattle while irrigating 2,600 hectares.
The construction of the Ndue and Calucuve dams is part of the broader Program to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola, which aims to address water scarcity in the Cuvelai basin.