Work continues on the left bank of the Mekin hydroelectric dam

The construction of the Mekin hydroelectric dam on the left bank of the Dja River is still in progress.

Caterpillars and bulldozers were at work to complete the bypass stage on Tuesday. The operation was to change the nest of the river by constructing an earthen and stone wall.

The same wall will be used as a gateway to gain access to the dam from one point to another dam. This source, second of its kind, was conducted last Tuesday in Mekin. "This is a very important representation of the whole hydroelectric project.

The dam is been built on the river and work still continues. However, we must first build a bridge so that the river water does not trouble the dam, "said Wang Wei, general manager of the project of the Central Mekin Hydroelectric for China National Electric Engineering (Cneec), the company in charge of the project.

The left side of the dam is now accessible and contractors will proceed with the construction of the secondary dam and spillway.

Environmentally, the operation will enable the monitoring of socio-environmental measures including protection of Dja. "The Dja Reserve is a national heritage. With this branch, we will control the activities that will take place on the left bank, and their impacts on the river and the animals and put in place mechanisms to protect," said Charles Asonugo, environmentalist for the project.

Today, the dam is 70% complete according to the chairman of the board of Hydro-Mekin, Louis Paul Motaze. The main dam is almost complete and has reached 90% of completion. The foot plant is carried out at 90% and the transmission line, 95%. What only a remains is to install the turbines for the right bank.

But the infrastructure has suffered delays due to contractual relations between the client, the contractor, the company and its subcontractors. The subcontractor showed some incompetence which caused the delay of work in September 2014 and May 2015. A new subcontractor began work on the after three months.

The final delivery of the work is estimated between April-May 2016. The first tests of the project are expected by the end of the year. "We should expect the first five megawatts with the first impoundment," predicted Charles Nkwawir Shiynteng, Deputy Director of Civil Engineering and Water Project.

Eventually, the Mekin hydroelectric dam will provide 15 MW of electrical energy through its main outlet on both sides thanks to a separate network that will supply the eight municipalities of the Dja and Lobo.