Zambezi River Authority has continued to progress with the public disclosure process for the draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report working with its 2400Mega Watts Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme (BGHES-ESIA) Studies Consultant and other stakeholders.

Authority Chief Executive Engineer Munyaradzi Munodawafa said in view of the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Authority, in consultation with the National Environmental Regulators; the Environmental Management Agency of Zimbabwe (EMA) and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) developed an alternative disclosure plan which involves the use of a limited level of physical meetings, virtual meetings and radio broadcasts within the project area.

“The Authority, working with its BGHES-ESIA Studies Consultant, the Environmental Resources Management of South Africa (ERM), the National Power Utilities; Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) and ZESCO Limited has continued to progress with the public disclosure process for the draft ESIA report,” he said.

Engineer Munodawafa revealed the alternative disclosure plan is currently under implementation and the Authority has accordingly requested interested and affected persons, groups and all members of the general public to participate and submit their comments on the draft ESIA report.

“The disclosure meetings and radio broadcasts are scheduled to run from 23rd November to 11th December 2020, covering Districts on both sides of the Zambezi River in the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe, along the project stretch.” The Engineer said.

He explained that the disclosure meetings are aimed at ensuring that the project stakeholders are not left out in the project development process.