Ugandan Hydropower Plant Still Behind Schedule

Equipment for the construction of the hydropower plant on the Nyagak River in Nebbi has arrived after increasing costs in production materials caused the project to be delayed.

The project is behind schedule by seven months with completion expected in April 2009, said West Nile Rural Electrification Company’s George Afamani Obitre-Gama. The delay is due to the 70% increase in materials such as steel and cement. The amount of the plant was over sh15.4 billion with civil works taking over sh8.9 billion and sh6.5 billion going toward mechanical works.

The installation of the new machines will begin in August with the 1.5 km project being sub-contracted to Sobetra.

"All the electrical machinery like turbines and generators are on site awaiting installation after completion of the power house," Jan Barton, the site manager of Czech Republic CKD Export, the main project contractor, said.