Port Elizabeth - The government had invested R12.45 billion into the Mzimvubu Water Project in Tsolo Junction in the Eastern Cape, President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.
“This entails the building of the two dams, a hydropower plant at Laleni, bulk water distribution infrastructure and infield irrigation developments in the area,” Zuma said at the launch of the project.
Two dams will be build in the area, as part of the project.
“One in Ntabelanga on the Tsitsa River, which will be used for domestic and agricultural water supply requirements,” said Zuma.
The dam would become the tenth largest in the country and would store about 490 million cubic meters of water.
The Laleni dam would also be built and would be used for hydro-power generation.
“This dam has potential to generate 35 megawatts of base power or up to 180 megawatts of peaking power when operated jointly with the Ntabelanga Dam,” said Zuma.
The project would create about 6700 jobs a year during the construction phase and 6500 jobs a year during the operational phase.
It would serve about 720,000 households in domestic water supply.
“This is an important part of our efforts at equity and distribution , ensuring that we increase on the 95.2 percent people who now have access to clean water,” said Zuma.
The construction of the Ntabelanga dam would begin in November to be completed by February 2018, while work on the Laleni hydro-power scheme would start in 2016/17.
Sapa