Floods sweep P18 million in dam construction

ONALENNA MODIKWA
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 5, 2009 00:00

The Chinese company is constructing the Dikgatlhong Dam. Speaking during a stakeholders meeting to review progress of the dam construction, Jing Jinke of Sinohydro said that the loss covers P10.78 million damage to plant and machinery and P7.7 million destruction of constructed works.

This major setback implies that the project that was scheduled to finish in 2014 will be delayed for one year and the cost increment is estimated at P91 million. Jinkie said they have already reported the incident to the insurance company and forwarded suggestions to project engineers for consideration. Sinhydro has increased the number of temporary employees by 300 after the flood disaster to minimise the loss and accelerate the pace of construction.

Jinke said that to ensure success of the first stage of the river diversion as scheduled, they worked in the riverbed for 100 days from April this year. To date they have completed the investment of P475.6 million or 41.94 percent of the contract value. The major works completed so far included earth and rock excavation, backfilling and embankment filling. 

Jinke said that progress on the access road from Mmadinare to the dam site has lagged behind due to the poor competence and lack of commitment of the local sub-contractor.

He said Sinohydro has since taken over part of the works from the access road in order to minimise time loss.

Meanwhile, an official of the Department of Water Affairs said a pipeline contract for the second phase of the North South Water Carrier (NSWC) project will be re-tendered in February 2010. The work is expected to be complete in 2012. He said there is a provision for part of the water from the Thune Dam whose construction is expected to start in February next year to be used for irrigation. He said the construction of Lotsane Dam, also meant for irrigation has started and the contractor is already mobilising and doing establishment works.