(ODA) loan of about K274 billion (5.5 billion Japanese Yen) for the implementation of the Increased Access to Electricity Services Project.
The increased access to electricity services project is part of the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP) and is targeting distribution intensification and extension packages in Central, Eastern, Luapula, Northern, Southern and Western provinces of Zambia.
It also includes the construction of a mini-hydro project package in North-Western province.
Speaking at the signing of a loan agreement between the governments of Zambia and Japan in Lusaka today, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the project was a five year deliberate intervention which government has developed as part of the broader electricity access programme.
Dr. Musokotwane, who signed the agreement on behalf of the Zambia government, said this programme was designed to address weaknesses that inhibit the smooth distribution of electricity in Zambia.
He explained that the project would cover enhanced power supply from new generation capacity, strengthen transmission through regional power integration, grid extension, off-grid electrification and stand-alone renewable energy systems.
“The loan agreement that we have signed with JICA will trigger the flow of financial resources from Japan to finance two components of the Increased Access to Electricity Services Project,” he said.
Dr. Musokotwane said the first project to be financed under this assistance is the grid extension while the second one would be the off-grid electrification which focuses on construction of mini-hydro power plants in selected areas of the country.
He noted that limited access to electricity services has been a major factor that has undermined the pace of rural development and has since hindered the income generating activities in the country.
“As you will agree with me, increased access to electricity services, when combined with other key growth-inducing factors will create new strategic development opportunities that will improve rural and peri-urban productivity and ultimately result in improved quality of life in rural areas,” he said.
And Dr. Musokotwane said government would ensure that all debts contracted were sustainable so that the country did not fall back into the High Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) situation again.
Currently, Zambia’s foreign debt stands at US1.1 billion, from the over US$7 billion before various countries and multilateral financial institutions wrote it off.
Today’s loan agreement is the first ODA provision which Japan was lending Zambia in 17 years following Zambia’s attainment of HIPC completion point in 2005.
ZANIS/KSH/MKM/ENDS.
If only all this money was used properly!
Looks good on paper but, people, we`ve been here before! Zambia chalo cesu. Zoe atishani? Jamaco mwalifulwa?
Lets just keep getting loans… One wonders weather this cycle will ever cease?
Exactly what I was saying. Looks good on paper but are we going to see any change?
Thats not a solution borrowing is the mean of shifting the poverty to the coming yrs coz we need to pay back with interest so to me its very bad policies
The money will most likely be used to line some one’s pockets and in no time, we’ll be back on the HIPC list. What a shame the concept of serving one’s country selflessly remains unknown pa Zed.
Some of these loans are unnecessary.Do these guys really apply for these loans or are they just imposed on them?
Loans again??????????????????????chiluba error continues the late LPM manged to reach HIPC too soon to start loans again.
As usual! That all we know…. Loans,Loans Loans Loans and still more Loans anyone with an idea of how much we owe the international communuty?
hmmm………
Guys am so suprised.How sweet is it when one is a president? I ask because Bakili Muluzi was a president of Malawi for 10yrs, but he wants to be a president of Malawi again.Bush bu president kulowa ukwa shani bwakwata bane?especially african leaders.
nothing wrong with loans provided they are for production and not consumption.secondly, the money need not be misapplied.min-hydro power generation is a positive way to foster development especially at rural level.good move GRZ, but plz look out fo those with sticky fingers,we’re tired of millions of dollars going into kafupi related matrix.
How much has zambia gotten from the international community and how much has been put to good use?as long as those stincky fingers are there it will just be the same.How much money has been misused in all the nine provinces .
And why should we get LOans when minister of finance said we will not be affected by the world crunch?
LPM SC together with other well meaning Zambians including jubilee zambia fought hard for the cancellation of Debt Zambia owed to other countries and it worked; we had our debt written off. Hell no! are we going back to debts again? I hope musokotwane and group understand that development is not always about loans. Pay back time is just around the corner. will there be another HIPC talk.? The journey into heavy debt begins with one step….. its sad 🙁
Baby C and other British bloggers, do not forget, BST starts this Sunday 2 O`clock in the morning! I love BST!
BST does not mean anything significant. It only allows you to go to work as soon as the sun rises and gives you hope of coming home when there is still light. The British climate is known to be one of the worst in the world that is why most affluent Brits don’t live in britain anymore. It is a beggar’s land for now and yet they make the beggar work for the affluent Brits who cannot tolerate the bad British weather.
That could have been funny but you messed it up! I hope you realise that those beggars are in Zambia. lol!
The worlds richest man lives in Mexico, the second in America. If I am not mistaken the fifth if not third now lives in England. Jog on now son!
Honestly speaking what tribe do you people think dominates on LT? The tribe that everyone likes.
No need for that. To me tribe means nothing. Welsh, Enbglish, Scotish, Scoucers, Geordies, Cockneys, you name them, they are the same in God`s image.
Oops! English!
3RqU its bemba, thats the tribe superior to the other tribes.
??
Good afternoon bloggers. I personally long for the day when I shall wake up to read:
“GOVERNMENT REFUSES LOAN DUE TO FAVOURABLE FINANCIAL STATUS.”
Mudala wandi, ati Zambia refusing money? Abantu bambi balala nensala. If you are made to hunger and someone gives you a loan will you question the conditions?
Godday Nine Chale. Me too on your point.
If only used properly, all is fine!!!
Ba LUSAKA CITY, YES BEMBA IS THE MOST SPOKEN OR IS IT WRITTEN TRIBE ON LT.BUT NOT ALL PIPO WHO SPEAK THAT LANGUAGE ARE BEMBA.IT IS JUST THAT THE BEMBA INFLUENCE SPREAD FROM THE MINES FOR ONE REASON.THE BEMBA’S LIKE THEIR COUSINS THE NGONIS HATED SCHOOL HENCE THE BEMBAS WERE ALL TRECKING TO THE MINES TO WORK AS LABOURERS AND THE NGONIS IN LUSAKA TO WORK AS HOUSE BOYS.THE LOZIS AND TONGAS WERE VERY SEROUS WITH EDUCATION THAT’S WHY TODAY WHEN YOU GO TO A TONGA OR LOZI VILLAGE YOU FIND AN OLD MAN IN HIS 80’S SPEAKING GOOD ENGLISH.IN BEMBALAND OR EASTERN PROVINCE ALL ARE STAND FIREE
SO WHEN THE EDUCATED TONGAS AND LOZI WENT TO WORK IN THE MINES THEY WERE ASSIMILATED THEY STARTED SPEAKIN…
Some truth though. But lets focus on developing Zambia now instead of wasting time on tribes. We are all one Zambia one nation and those who are need more education simply have to go to school as there is free education now and no cutoff points to get to Grade 10 and subsequently 12 although passing with a certificate is required.
I bet you are bemba looking at your english! lol!
Lets use the for it’s intended purpose
BA LUSAKA CITY,THE TONGAS AND LOZIS WERE ASSIMILATED SINCE THE BEMBA IMMIGRANTS WERE THE MAJORITY HENCE THEIR CHILDREN GREW UP SPEAKING BEMBA.THAT’S HOW BEMBA SPREAD IN THE COPPERBELT SO OWING TO THE ILLITERACY OF THE BEMBA PARENTS THEY FAILED TO PROVIDE PARENTAL GUIDANCE TO THEIR CHILDREN HENCE THE HATED SCHOOL AND BECAME ROGUES HENCE THE GENESIS OF BA KABOVA.THE RESORTED TO PETTY TRADE AS THE LIKED MONEY AND NOT SCHOOL.MATHS WAS A TORTURE TO THEM UNLESS DISE AND PATA POTEYA.PICK POCKETING AND STREET FIGHTING.SO AFTER MANY YEARS THE POPULATION MULTIPLIED AND THE KABOVAS BECAME MANY
AND THE MARKET SHRUNK SO THEY WANTED TO SEEK NEW MARKETS.MEANWHILE THE NGONI WERE WORKING AS SERVANTS IN…
Iwe Lusaka na iwe Kapondo this is the wrong thread for your tribal issues, maunmfwa? Go to topics like “Zambians urged to keep their tradition”. We are trying to discuss developmental issues here.
I second this point.
I third this point!
SO THE NGONIS AS SERVANTS IN THE AFLUENT LUSAKA THEN WERE REALY AT ClOUD NINE AS THE BAZUNGUS TOOK EXTREMELY GOOD CARE OF THEM.MEANWHILE THE KABOVA’S JUST USED TO HEAR ABOUT LUSAKA AND THE HIGHRISE BUILDINGS BUT THEY COULD NOT VISIT SINCE THE HAD NO MEANS AND RELATIVES IN LUSAKA.BUT THERE ATMOST DREAM WAS TO GO TO KASAKA AS THE STARTED CALLING IT.SO COME THE GABON DISASTER ZCCM PARADED THE MULUNGUSHI TRAVELLER BUSES TO LUSAKA FOR THE FUNERAL AND THAT WAS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE KABOVA TO SEE LUSAKA AND THEY CAME IN NUMBERS.WHEN THE FUNERAL WAS OVER AND IT WAS TIME TO DEAPART THE BUSES THAT CAME FULL WENT ALMOST EMPTY. THE WAS THE IMMIGRATION OF THE KABOVA AND THE FOUND SHELTER
AT…
Rb is selling the country from under our feet. when this is all over RB and his thugs will be rich and the country will be the next Zimbabwe
SO THE kABOVAS FOUND SHELTER IN INTERCITY.THE NGONIS DIDN’T KNOW WHAT HAD HIT THEM LUSAKA WAS BEMBALISED AND UTUNTEMBA MUSHROOMED NYANJA BECAME A MINORITY.SO BA LUSAKA IN A NUTSHELL IT SHOULD NOT SUPRISE YOU WHY BEMBA IS MOST USED INFACT LANGUAGE AND NOT TRIBE ON LT.IT’S BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE I HAVE OUTLINED ABOVE IT SHOULD ALSO TELL YOU WHY UBWATO IS POPULAR IN THE AREAS I HAVE MENTIONED
I love your yuor sense of history. Akapondo. Would you care to share with us how you acquired your name? or the history of your name?
Please?
On “And Dr. Musokotwane said government would ensure that all debts contracted were sustainable so that the country did not fall back into the High Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) situation again. Currently, Zambia’s foreign debt stands at US1.1 billion, from the over US$7 billion before various countries and multilateral financial institutions wrote it off.” Why doesn’t the MMD GRZ use the 900 million US Dollar reserves they have to clear the old debts so that we start afresh?
On getting back to HIPC level, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get back especially that men like Mr Magande who were serious and instrumental in making sure we are out of HIP are now doing things from the…
Following some report I read on zambianwatchdog, it appears like Zambia is the 13th poorest country in the whole world. Whatever a shame for us a people with all the natural resources including knowledge.
I hope the President RB Banda 17 yr old GRZ will make sure they perform wonders in their remaining 2 and half years before 2011 elections provide us with another GRZ which might be them again or others.
Also, I hope the money our Japanese friends have given us will be used for the intended purpose and properly.
In all, our actions now must be checked carefully so that the future Zambian generation will not be forced to repay for the irresponsibility of current leaders.
Maestro Hhe he Forgive me for the past insults.Brother there is a big change in your blogging.Good points.Continue with the same spirit.May God bless
Cool, thanks and take care chief. Let us move together as one. We all Zambians only have one Zambia.
Maestro i want to sincerely thank God for you.There is a big change on you my brother. God bless you,love you so much.
Chewe, my brotherman, thanks for the kind words. Surely, thank God that I am always there and constant for all Zambians.
Could you kindly make sure that you move on with this spirit of respecting other people’s views.
I would have loved to be on here more often, but I have to look at family future issues now. And so, I will be very rare on here LT like I had romised in the beginning od this year. Keep well and mya the good Lord God bless us all.