Republic of Tunisia
| Loan No: | 661 | Interest Rate: | 2.5 % |
| Beneficiary: | Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries | Grace Period: | 6 years |
| Project Cost: | KD 42.9 million | Maturity: | 30 years |
| Amount of Loan: | KD 30.0 million | Repayment: | 49 semi-annual installments |
| Date of Board Approval: | 2018-05-12 | First Installment: | 6 years following the first disbursement |
| Date of Loan Agreement: | 2019-01-28 | Date of Loan Effectiveness: | - |
Objectives:
The project aims at regulating Wadi Tasa and Wadi Khallad water, which are tributaries of Wadi Medjerda, through the construction of Tasa and Khallad dams, in order to provide additional water for supplementary irrigation to intensify the agricultural production in the lands located in the plains adjacent to Wadi Tasa and Wadi Khallad. The project will also contribute to the flood protection of the lands and buildings located below the two dams in the Wadi Tasa, Wadi Khallad and Wadi Medjerda basins, and to an increase in the quantities of regulated surface water resources in the northwestern region of Tunisia, which are currently wasted into the Mediterranean Sea.
Description:
The project, which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024, consists of the construction of Tasa dam and its appurtenant structures in El Kef governorate, and Khallad dam and its appurtenant structures in Baja governorate, as well as the technical services necessary to implement the project. The project also includes the expropriation of land necessary for its implementation and operation, in addition to project management. The project consists of the following main components:
- Tasa Dam Construction:This includes the construction of a roller compacted concrete gravity dam with a height of approximately 38 m above the Wadi bed (approximately 51 m above the foundation), a crest length of approximately 708 m and a width of 10 m. The dam’s appurtenant structures include a main spillway above the dam with a discharge capacity of about 3460 m3/s, a secondary spillway in the right bank of the Wadi with a discharge capacity of about 1040 m3/s, in addition to water intakes and a bottom outlet. The dam impounds a reservoir with a storage capacity of approximately 44 million m3. This component includes all preparatory, civil and hydromechanical works necessary to construct and operate the dam.
- Khallad Dam Construction:This includes the construction of a fill dam with an impervious core. The dam has a height of approximately 54 m above the Wadi bed (approximately 72 m above the foundation), a crest length of approximately 490 m and a width of 13 m. The dam’s appurtenant structures include a concrete spillway in the right bank of the Wadi with a discharge capacity of about 2454 m3/s, in addition to water intakes and a bottom outlet. The dam impounds a reservoir with a storage capacity of about 27 million m3. This component includes all preparatory, civil and hydromechanical works necessary to construct and operate the dam.
- Technical Services:This includes consultancy services necessary to review and complete the studies and designs, and the construction supervision of the project, including, whenever required, the services of international experts to review the studies and designs, and provide technical advice during the implementation of the project, as well as any required studies to utilize the water provided by the project.
- Land Expropriation:This includes the acquisition of land and rights required for the construction, operation and maintenance of the project.
- Project Management:This includes the establishment and management of a project management unit, which will be responsible for the follow up and monitoring of the construction works.
Financing:
The Arab Fund’s loan covers about 70% of the total project cost. The Tunisian Government will cover the remaining cost of the project and any additional cost that may arise.