The Malawi government has launched a $50-million project to upgrade the Kamuzu barrage, on the Shire river, an outlet of Lake Malawi, which is used to control the flow of water from the lake to the lower Shire area.
The project will run from this year to 2017 and will involve the construction of 14 new water gates, a new bridge and a new control and administration building, as well as the acquisition of a new weed boom, new anchors for the weed boom and a new weed collector job crane.
The World Bank’s International Development Association is the financier of the project.
Malawi Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza said at the launch of the project that initiatives to upgrade the barrage begun in 2003, when a feasibility study was launched as part of the integrated water resources development plan for the country.
“The study recommended the upgrading of the barrage as the most feasible option as a low-risk investment,,” said Chiyembekeza.
He explained that the upgrading of the barrage, constructed in 1965, would extend its operational life and strengthen its key functions, which include regulating the water flow downstream, regulating water levels upstream and improving weed management.
Following an international competitive bidding process, the Malawi government awarded expatriate firms contracts for the project, including Norway’s Norplan, which clinched the supervision contract, Portugal’s Conduril Engenharia (civil works) and Italy’s CMC Di Ravenna (supply and installation of barrage gates).
The Shire river is a source of up to 98% of the electricity generated in Malawi. The river is also used for irrigated agriculture, the supply of water for industrial and domestic purposes and fisheries, besides other activities.