Cement as limiting factor
Even though all the arrangements for the start of the dam’s construction in Eritrea have been made, unfortunately the beginning of our project had to be slightly delayed. The cement required for the construction of the dam could not be provided by our local partner, the Water Resource Department in Asmara, by the time stipulated. We had calculated this project risk, which occurs due to the momentary supply shortfall of the building material in Eritrea, additive is the prioritisation of important governmental construction projects.
Due to the end of the current rainy season and the necessary coordination of our construction phase with the time of rainfall we decided to delay the begin of the construction into the next year (The dam will be constructed in several steps, each can only be built after a precipitation event). Unfortunately the shortage of material leads to a delay of our project start, but it does not influence our intent and the fundamental planning of the undertaking. We aim to begin the construction in April 2017, so the fundament can be completed before the upcoming rainy season.
At a meeting with the Eritrean government delegation during a
panel discussion and economy conversation in Berlin (8th-9th of Sept. 2016) the covenant for the relative small amount of required cement was confirmed. Due to these conversations we are confident that will be able to start with the construction in the beginning of 2017.
Alternatively there is the possibility to import cement, but in order to work as sustainable as possible with the provided charitable donations we would prefer to spend the funds on location to support the local economy.
Of course these circumstances interfere with our project planning, so that our project travel, that was scheduled for September 2016, had to re-scheduled as well.
Anyhow we keep planning confidently and we have been re-assured by our new contacts to help the people in the project region, in order to gain a benefit for them.
We are very happy that you joined as in our efforts for this project.
