President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has Thursday inspected works at Karuma Dam which he says will be completed in December 2009.
The contractor, Sino-Hydro, a Chinese firm had expected to finish the project this year.
Upon his visit Museveni who toured the site got a brief that by the end of this year two turbines will be operational generating up to 200 megawatts of power.
Below is his brief statement
I inspected the Karuma Dam Project site today. The project, which will generate 600MW, is being undertaken by Chinese company, Sino-Hydro, and is expected to be completed by December 2019.
By the end of this year, two turbines will be operational generating upto 200 Megawatts of electricity. The overall completed works stand at 79% with the project employing 500 people.
This project almost suffered a still birth on account of our Ministry of Energy officials not bothering. They had agreed to use a company that was willing to generate 200MW only.
Luckily, I met a young Italian engineer who gave me information. I intervened and we had to source for another company that would build a dam generating more than 200Megawats.
I decided to inspect the site today because very soon it will be submerged in water. Some underground parts will not be visible anymore after water is released.
I thank the Chinese government that has contributed towards the building of this dam. Our government, however, is shouldering the bigger cost.
I will return to commission the entire project once complete. I propose that Karuma District, which is a direct beneficiary of this project, sets aside land some land for government to establish an industrial park.
I thank the employees for being honest. I got reports that they have looked after the project’s equipment very well. Thank you.