Cuvelai: The Calucuve water dam, located in Cuvelai Municipality, Cunene Province, has officially commenced operations with the recent activation of its floodgate. This strategic infrastructure is a pivotal component in the efforts to combat drought in the southern region of Angola.
According to Angola Press News Agency, President Joo Louren§o, along with F©lix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and First Lady Ana Dias Louren§o, inaugurated the dam by cutting the ribbon and pressing the button to commence its operation. This ceremony followed the inauguration of the Ndºe dam, another key project in the region.
The Ndºe and Calucuve dams are part of five strategic projects under the Programme to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola (PCESSA), initiated in 2019. These projects have been closely monitored by the Angolan Head of the Executive due to their significance in addressing drought challenges. The Ndºe dam, positioned 97 kilometres from the municipal seat of Mukolongodjo in Cuvelai Municipality, is set to benefit approximately 55,000 residents and 60,000 cattle with its 170 million cubic metres of water storage capacity.
The Calucuve dam, located 34 kilometres from Mukolongodjo, is expected to support nearly 200,000 head of cattle and over 80,000 residents. It boasts a storage capacity of around 141 million cubic metres of water, with a 240-kilometre water conveyance canal and numerous chimpacas, designed to serve economic, social, and agricultural purposes.
Construction of both dams started on 28 October 2021, with the foundation stone laid by the then Minister of State for the Social Area, Carolina Cerqueira. These infrastructures are anticipated to play a crucial role in alleviating the recurring drought issues faced by communities in southern Angola.
The dams aim to enhance water availability, stimulate socio-economic development, and encourage economic activities through job creation and disease mitigation. They also focus on reducing water shortages in the Cuvelai basin, supporting agricultural growth, promoting tourism, and rehabilitating public infrastructure. The overarching goal of the Programme to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola is to provide sustainable water solutions and bolster agriculture across the provinces of Cunene, Hula, Namibe, and Benguela.
