On July 6, 2022, the stone for more structured drought control projects in Cunene was laid. This important and strategic mandate is joined by the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, along with the Secretary of State for Water, Lucrécio Costa, the Deputy Governor of Cunene for Infrastructure, Faustino Cortez and other important figures, both from the Department of Energy and Water and local government. This act subsequently initiated the construction of “Cunene 8” consisting of blocks 7, 8 and 9, on the right bank of the Kunene River. This project is part of PCESSA (Program Against Drought in Southern Angola) and part of an initiative integrated into a series of priority actions that the President of the Republic, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço has announced. implemented and developed by MINEA, will certainly alleviate the current serious problems associated with extreme drought and thereby reverse the cycle of population migration, the risk of food insecurity and other currencies. other accident. In this way, Executives and João Baptista Borges not only bring water, but also give hope to people in areas hard hit by this problem. The project “Cunene 8” launched today aims to build a dam on the Caculuvar River, in the city of Cova do Leão, as well as a water supply system for the cities of Cahama and Ochinjau. Rehabilitation of nine dams and construction of a water supply system for Oncocua, based on the use of existing artesian wells and the construction of new underground basins, are also planned in this context.
Chitado will also benefit from a water supply system, with its source in the Cunene River. This ambitious project plans to provide for about 240,000 people, more than 30,000 heads of cattle, as well as create 17,000 domestic connections, more than 250 fountains, irrigate an area of about 75 hectares and also ensure more than 1,400 jobs, in an estimated implementation time of 24 months. In his speech, Cunene’s Deputy Governor for Infrastructure congratulated MINEA on this action, and even praised PCESSA for its importance to Cunene. Minister João Baptista Borges mentioned, among other aspects, the fact that these structures are important, but the combination of them and “measures that give immediate results” is what counts. may contribute to the success of this important strategy to combat drought in Cunene. He also mentioned the employment factor, and these jobs will directly employ about 1,400 people. The minister, in a hopeful tone, mentioned that he foresees a turning point for the area and it will attract more businesses, more jobs and more rich people. He ends by saying that PCESSA will also be moving to Namibe and Huila soon. João Baptista Borges even promised to work and pledge to bring water to this area and solve this problem in this Cunene area.
