Construction of the $298-million Neckartal Dam in Namibia could be delayed after government officials failed to agree on a contractor selection between two contenders, China’s state-owned China Henan International Cooperation Group, or CHICO, and Italy’s Impregilo SPA.
The 850-million-cu-meter dam will be built on the Fish River about 40 kilometers west of the city of Keetmapshoop. The structure is anticipated to be the largest in Namibia, about three times the size of Hardap Dam, currently the record holder. The completed dam will impound enough water to irrigate more than 5,000 hectares.