Launched 42 years after start, can Rogun Dam fulfil Tajik dreams?

It took 42 years for Tajikistan, the poorest of the post-Soviet states in Central Asia, to see the first phase of Rogun hydroelectric power project become operational.

The delay in completion can’t be blamed on the frequent change of power, as it normally happens, because Emomali Rahmon has been the country’s president for almost 25 years. And he is expected to continue at the helm as long as he wants.

However, irrespective of the accusations of financial mismanagement, corruption and crackdowns on the opposition, the government hopes the Rogun Dam project will provide employment and boost the economy.

 

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from Rogun.