Nyagak dam works resume
Nov 12, 2009
THE West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO) has resumed work at the Nyagak mini hydro-power project in Nebbi.
By Frank Mugabi
THE West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO) has resumed work at the Nyagak mini hydro-power project in Nebbi.
Work at the power dam had stalled for the past seven months.
Justin Kibuule, a director with Reincon, one of the main sub-contractors, said they resumed work last week “after ironing out the financial issues with WENRECO.â€
“We have sorted out the financial issues. Currently, work on the headrest (dam) is ongoing,†Kibuule said on Wednesday.
He added that the dam would be completed in seven months.
The firm will also work on the diversion, the intake structure and construct a 60-metre headrace conduit.
Kibuule explained that the rest of the headrace, the high-pressure penstock and powerhouse, would be done by Sobetra.
The development comes days after Dr. Kevin Kariuki, the head of infrastructure at the Industrial Promotion Services, told Parliament that the firm had resolved its financial woes by lining up funding from “credible†development finance institutions.
He cited funding commitments from France’s Agence Française de Development, KFW of Germany and IFC.
Officials from the Electricity Regulatory Authority visited the site on Wednesday.
However, there is no activity at the powerhouse.
But Fabian Ahaisibwe, the WENRECO regional manager, said 95% of the work had been done and they were only waiting for the dam to be completed.
“The civil work is done. What is remaining is the installation of electro-mechanical equipment and landscaping, which will be embarked on immediately the dam is completed and ready to let in water.â€
He said the mechanical equipment, including turbines, transformers, switch gear, control panels and generators were on site awaiting other sections to be finished, before they are installed.
Ahaisibwe said Marvel, the equipment manufacturers based in the Czech Republic, were on standby to install them.
“They designed these equipment according to the specifications of this dam. Therefore, they will be the ones to conduct all the installations. We already have that commitment with them.â€
WENRECO, part of the Aga Khan Group, was awarded a 20-year concession in 2003 to generate and distribute power in the West Nile region.
THE West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO) has resumed work at the Nyagak mini hydro-power project in Nebbi.
Work at the power dam had stalled for the past seven months.
Justin Kibuule, a director with Reincon, one of the main sub-contractors, said they resumed work last week “after ironing out the financial issues with WENRECO.â€
“We have sorted out the financial issues. Currently, work on the headrest (dam) is ongoing,†Kibuule said on Wednesday.
He added that the dam would be completed in seven months.
The firm will also work on the diversion, the intake structure and construct a 60-metre headrace conduit.
Kibuule explained that the rest of the headrace, the high-pressure penstock and powerhouse, would be done by Sobetra.
The development comes days after Dr. Kevin Kariuki, the head of infrastructure at the Industrial Promotion Services, told Parliament that the firm had resolved its financial woes by lining up funding from “credible†development finance institutions.
He cited funding commitments from France’s Agence Française de Development, KFW of Germany and IFC.
Officials from the Electricity Regulatory Authority visited the site on Wednesday.
However, there is no activity at the powerhouse.
But Fabian Ahaisibwe, the WENRECO regional manager, said 95% of the work had been done and they were only waiting for the dam to be completed.
“The civil work is done. What is remaining is the installation of electro-mechanical equipment and landscaping, which will be embarked on immediately the dam is completed and ready to let in water.â€
He said the mechanical equipment, including turbines, transformers, switch gear, control panels and generators were on site awaiting other sections to be finished, before they are installed.
Ahaisibwe said Marvel, the equipment manufacturers based in the Czech Republic, were on standby to install them.
“They designed these equipment according to the specifications of this dam. Therefore, they will be the ones to conduct all the installations. We already have that commitment with them.â€
WENRECO, part of the Aga Khan Group, was awarded a 20-year concession in 2003 to generate and distribute power in the West Nile region.