According to a statement from the provincial government of Namibe, to which VerAngola had access, the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by the provincial governor of Namibe, Archer Mangueira.
"This Wednesday, the first stone was officially laid for the construction of the Bero Dam, in the town of Macala Sede, municipality of Moçâmedes. The event was presided over by the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, and was attended by the provincial governor of Namibe, Archer Mangueira, among other government and community entities", reads the note.
With a three-year execution period, the work is being carried out by the company Mercons.
"The project, valued at 250 million dollars, will be carried out by the company Mercons in up to 36 months, and will generate 5500 direct jobs", says the statement.
In addition to the aforementioned dam, the dam construction project to mitigate the effects of the drought in that province launched by the Government also includes the construction of the Curoca 2 and Bentiaba dams, among others.
"In addition to the Bero dam, the Executive's program also includes the construction of the Curoca 2, Bentiaba, Inamagando, Carujamba and Giraul dams", points out the provincial government, which adds that "this initiative is part of the Program to Combat the Effects of Drought in Southern Angola (PCESSA), aiming to guarantee the water supply to the population and boost agriculture and local economic activity".
"The Executive's investment approved through a Presidential Order will allow the construction of a fundamental infrastructure for the storage and distribution of water in the region", says the note.
For this Wednesday, in Bibala, the assignment of the "project for the recovery and desilting of 43 dams in the municipalities of Bibala, Camucuio, Moçâmedes and Virei" was also scheduled.
"These actions reinforce the Executive's commitment to mitigating the effects of the drought and promoting sustainable development in the region," the statement said, adding that "the construction and recovery of dams is considered an urgent measure to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather conditions that have plagued southern Angola."
