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Article: Battle lines drawn over Bujagali dam: developers say the new hydroelectric project on the Nile is vital for the region's economic growth, but environmentalists insist it will drown a sacred waterfall and accelerate the emptying of Lake Victoria. Tom Nevin reports.(Uganda)
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- July 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 IC Publications Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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The World Bank has confirmed its commitment of $360m in loans and guarantees for the $800m Bujagali Dam. The announcement triggers the start the project, hailed as the answer to Uganda's power problems.
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"We are prepared to begin construction works as we wait for the money," said Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, the permanent secretary in the Energy Ministry. "The government, Bujagali Energy Ltd and Salini have signed the Engineering Procurement Contract notice, agreeing to proceed."
The go-ahead, however, has angered environmentalists. "The bitter truth is that the dam is over-priced and will not provide ...