Cunene: The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), F©lix Tshisekedi, arrived in the Angolan southern province of Cunene this Saturday to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the Ndue and Calucuve dams. Upon landing at the 11 de Novembro Airport, President Tshisekedi, accompanied by his delegation, was welcomed by Angola's Foreign Minister, T©te Ant³nio, before departing for Cuvelai Municipality via helicopter.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Congolese Head of State is set to be received by Angolan President Joo Louren§o in Cuvelai, approximately 155 km from the provincial capital. The two leaders will first unveil the Ndue dam, followed by a helicopter journey to the Calucuve dam to officially inaugurate the infrastructure. This marks an integral part of President Louren§o's ongoing Drought Relief Programme in southern Angola.
The joint press conference scheduled at the end of the ceremony will conclude President Joo Louren§o's two-day working visit to Cunene Province. Meanwhile, President F©lix Tshisekedi is expected to return to the DRC later on Saturday evening. President Louren§o's continuous engagement with the region dates back to regular visits, including ones in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
In 2022, President Louren§o inaugurated the Water Transfer System on the Cafu Canal, providing water access to 235,000 people and 250,000 animals while irrigating 5,000 hectares of agricultural land. The Ndue and Calucuve dams are pivotal projects among five initiatives aimed at combating drought in Cunene.
The Ndue dam is anticipated to benefit approximately 55,000 inhabitants and 60,000 cattle, creating numerous direct and indirect jobs primarily for the youth. The infrastructure stands 32.80 meters high and 1,500 meters long, with a storage capacity of 170 million cubic meters and encompasses a 75-kilometer aqueduct and 15 water reservoirs for community, agricultural, and livestock use.
The Calucuve dam will support over 80,000 residents and nearly 200,000 cattle, boasting a height of 31.60 meters and a length of 2,184 meters, with a storage capacity of about 141 million cubic meters. It includes a 240-kilometer water supply canal and 22 water pumps. The construction of these dams commenced on October 28, 2021, following the groundbreaking ceremony led by then Minister of State for Social Affairs, Carolina Cerqueira.
The Ndºe and Calucuve dams are crucial infrastructural developments aimed at mitigating the cyclical droughts that affect southern Angola, significantly impacting water supply, livestock farming, and agricultural productivity.
