also indeed Energy Sector projects such as the Batoka Hydro‐electric Scheme and Inga III
Hydropower Scheme.
3.2.2
ICT Sector
No development sector can move positively forward without appropriate ICT. In the Water Sector,
data collected for various purposes needs to be transmitted in real time terms, requiring appropriate
ICT. The management and operation of water resources infrastructure requires ICT, as well as
communication within external to organisations, which requires an efficient ICT infrastructure.
3.2.3
Meteorology Sector
This sector is very important for water infrastructure management, flood and drought management,
as well as for food production. The sector is even more important in this global warming and climate
change era.
The availability of reliable and long‐term meteorological data plays a major role in the design and
development of water infrastructure.
3.2.4
Tourism Sector
Water resources infrastructure, such as dams, provides tourism opportunities. Hotels, water sport,
angling, boat cruises, wildlife and other eco‐systems rely heavily on water infrastructure and water
bodies. Therefore, water infrastructure such as dams should be designed for multi‐purpose use so as
to enhance the value of the Tourism Sector.
3.2.5
Transport Sector
Whenever a dam is constructed across a river, a bridge is automatically provided for crossing the
river, an example here is the Kariba Dam. Roads/rail links/airports are required as part of Water
Sector infrastructure development for access to deliver construction materials and for other
purposes. Highly inaccessible areas become accessible with Water Sector infrastructure
development and once completed, the water bodies of dams, for instance, provide further naval
transport opportunities.
A good and diverse transport network reduces costs in the development of water infrastructure.
3.3
Risks and Assumptions in achieving Vision 2027
The possible major risks and assumptions are:
In the SADC region, there is now a worrying culture that has developed in which effort and
resources are targeted and prioritised towards projects related to capacity building, data
collection, environmental assessments, awareness building, etc., before focusing on the
preparation, marketing, financing and implementation of hard projects that have tangible
impacts on the population's livelihoods and quality of life. The Energy Sector is a good example
here, where the current SADC regional power shortages were predicted in the early 90's and
nothing was done about it except talk. It is hoped that there will now be very little talk and
procrastination in moving the 34 selected projects in the Water Sector part of the RIDMP to their
fruitful and logical conclusion;
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