Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has launched investigations to establish the cause of the power failure experienced in Lusaka and other parts of the country last night.
Briefing the media in Lusaka today, ZESCO managing Director Rodney Sisala said the investigations would look into the technical aspect and other areas of operation to determine what could have caused the power outage.
Mr. Sisala said it is difficult for the power utility firm to put in place preventive measures if the cause of the power outage is not established.
He said, through the investigation, the firm will draw lessons so as to prepare for future similar occurrences.
Lusaka and other parts of the country last night experienced a pro-longed power failure.
The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) was forced to use candles to lit some wards due to the power blackout that left Lusaka and other parts of the country in the dark.
UTH Public Relations Officer Pauline Mbangweta however told ZANIS in an interview that the power failure did not have adverse effects on the operations of the hospital.
Ms Mbangweta explained that the hospital’s sensitive areas such as the incubator for the premature babies and the theater were not affected by the power failure because the hospital has back up generators.
She said the institution managed to run smoothly despite the power failure.
Electricity has since been restored in Lusaka following the power failure that affected the capital city and other parts of the country.
And the Copperbelt Energy Cooperation (CEC) had to import power from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the electricity power failure experienced in the area and other parts of the country.
CEC Chief Executive Officer Neil Crouteher says the move was prompted by the realization that the firm mainly supplies power to mines whose work schedule is in shifts and hence at the time of the power failure they could have been miners underground.
Mr. Crouteher said the abrupt power outage had far reaching consequences on the operations of the mines.
And in a related development, several parts of Mufulira District were also adversely affected by the ZESCO Power failure.
Malconlm Watson Hospital which is owned by the mining giant Mopani Copper Mine was not spared by the power failure.
Electricity was only restored to the border town at about 11:30 hours this morning.
ZESCO are good at increasing tariffs but they are not good at looking after their customers. If they cared about their customers they would have imported power from the neighbouring countries and restored supply within minutes. However, they are not prepared to put themselves out because they are a monopoly and therefore have a captive clientele. Why is Sisala still in charge? LPM has fired a lot of people – why does he protect Sisala? Is he related to him? The man lacks vision for ZESCO.
During the Kaunda days, Zambia had ZCCM, ZESCO and other companies with the potential to become regional players. However, due to lack of vision, these companies failed to take advantage of the changing economic climate. I can see ZESCO being bought out by a foreign company in the near future, especially if investors start complaining about ZESCO’s lack of reliability.
I know the cause of the black-outs country men. Its the ineptitude of the Salasini led administration, period.Let us have somebody without links to LPM, autonomous and brave at Zesco and you will see the transformation they will bring to the company. These LPM relations are spoiling it for the Zeds.
i think zesco is nothing but a big shame. rain season means no electricity. wait a sec, even when it isnt rain season its the same. something must be done. as long as zesco remains alone offering this service, no change will take place. we are sick and tired of this kind of n…… people are paying so much, but no improvement of services.
# 1-4,
Are all gutter rubbish contributions of lame ducks devoid of some elements of objectivity, intellectual view point, strategic reasoning or mature arguments that reflect reasoning above sub level.You need to go back to school for some business/public affairs leadership classes to learn good leadership skills rather than barking your childish litter in public domains.Thank God LPM has no time or heart for ranters & armchair critics hallucinating without intellectual rigor.
Its really an embarrassment to be Zambian in the 21st century when you expect the country Zambia to learnt from the stone age era Chuchu, ZESCO and the all entire GRZ sucks!
#5 the patriot, u termed our contributions “gutter rubbish”. ok, thanx. but we didn’t see your patriotic contribution. meaning u got nothing to contribute. maybe u are the relative to rodney, who knows? only u. maybe u benefit from the high tariffs. we are only concerned with the situation. if u think u have good leadership skills then try to help rodney and the group. i guess u are one of them.
UTH must have backup generators for the whole hospital and not just “sensitive areas”
Patriot what was your intelligent, objective contribution in your outburst. If you benifit from poor management that lack the ability to give feedback to its customers then you are nothing but a self serving bootlicker. Zesco is a public institution and is accountable to the public. The public has a right to express their discontent and one does need an MBA or somesort of education to air their views. Secondly your tone is beligarent and one who is intorelant of other people’s feelings Zambia is
a democractic country leave your stoneage mentality in the chachacha era. Critism and brotherly love is what you encourage cause unless you have a mirror how do you know how dirty you are. Sisala is now begining to embarrass us. we need answers.
Patriot,thats below-the-belt attack on us and I really the moment we will see you contribute intelligently because all we have had from you is utter neonatal jibes on people who have a bone to chew with LPM and his bunch of croonies-you included.Lumpen like english will not earn you a place amongst the elite, to which we belong, rather will confine you among the rogues,which you are.Besides you dont strike me like somebody who spent quality time in school:you must ‘ve spent time at school.!Shame
#33 Muntuza,
You dont even know who you are attacking.The MD for ZESCO is Sisala and not Salasini.
Thanx Citizen. Thats the way to go. I bet both MD’s need to come under the hammer. thanx for that mate.
the power outage is being investigated as reported by the MD therefore we should all wait and not throwing people from the pan to the fire…..no reasoning person could have allowed such traumatising situation,sabotage can not be ruled out but lets be very careful with the prevailing sitiation.
the power outage is being investigated as reported by the MD therefore we should all wait and not throwing people from the pan to the fire…..no reasoning person could have allowed such traumatising situation,sabotage can not be ruled out but lets be very careful with the prevailing situation.viva zed viva chuchu 11 in ghana
If we will ever be serious, GOVT must fire Sisala infact he should have been fired when there was a blackout in Lusaka at SADC Heads of state conference. ZESCO said the lizard caused the black out surely a lame reason I have never seen it before in my life that a lizard causing power failure, hope this time around the investigation won’t reveal a frog causing the power blackout. All is required is people with capacity to lead ZESCO these are hard times there is lots of money involved.
#5, the name Patriot doesn’t suit you. There was no ounce of intelligence in your contribution. it was nothing but an emotional outburst. You sound like one of the paople who are benefitting from the increased tarrifs.
After the badly worded outburst, you gave no contribution. What you should have done is to simply tell us why you think Sisala must stay and so on. Not the utter disrespect you’ve just shown. Grow up.
heeeey Patriot Or watever you call yourself. take it easy man!you’re taking this too personal.wat happened that dreadfull nite must be condemed and pipo have the right to blast at the one they think is in a postion to have prevented that power outage..let the pipo talk.as first lady im solidly behind you guys ,put some sense in these guys who are taking our monies and not giving us satisfactory services…Abash Sisala and Salasini..
They must have cut Patriot’s internet account. Why ma zeee so!! You seem to equate eloquence with intelligence. Besides your lot seems to be good at ranting yet empty with meaning. Be helpful by sticking to the matter at hand than show how deep your preception of issues is shallow.
By saying they are still investigating the cause of the outage, is ZESCO saying the situation normalised all by its self (without ZESCO’s intervention)? Coz if they are the ones who fixed the problem, they must know or at least have an idea as to what cozed the outage.
#14, you are saying “no reasoning person could have allowed such traumatising situation,” Well, where I stay there are countless prolonged blackouts and these ZESCO people are charging us on fixed rate of K125,000 (Incresed to
continued.
(incresed to almost K160,000) per month. We’ve asked them to install a prepaid meter but it seems to me, they want us to continue paying a lot of money for a shody service. ZESCO’s services are poor. They don’t care about the customers, all they want is money. Because we pay a fixed charge they don’t care how long we stay in darkness coz they know they will still have their (our) money. Siala must go.
Besides ZESCO was allowed to increase tarrifs on condition that their services improve. They are now worse. Lets see the Energy regulation Board come in and force Sisala and crew to reduce the tarrifs.
#20 I fully agree with you. Unless Lusaka Times have missed some details from the briefing, ZESCO has miserably failed to explain the chain of events preceding and following the blackout. To me this is lack accountability to the public. It would have helped to inform the public what early indications they have on the problem. There is a national control center in Lusaka where they are supposed to monitor the national grid. After events like this there should be a public information website, etc
i totally agree with 23 , Zesco has a national control centre here in Lusaka to came out and say they dont know exactly what happended is a sign of incompetence. One thing for sure the sub region has alot of incompetent managers. If for now we have this problem what are the short term plans which Zesco has put inplace, i for one know that Coal and Solar can be used. SA is in a worse situation , ESCO cant even light traffic lights!!!!!!!!!!!what is happening to us. People go to school but are inc
Sisala has the answer but will have to wait for politicians to tell him what they think could make sense to them.
How many power stations do we have? Which station supplies which area? Electricity does not use bush-cuts, but properly defined lines. So, which line failed?
Day in day out we seem to have difficulties besetting ZESCO. I don’t need to overemphasize the importance of this entity to the development of the nation. It seems we will continue to gloss over management issues at ZESCO for sometime to come. Sisala did not need to tell the press that they were investigating the cause(s) of power failure, when the company has its workforce countrywide. For once can this gentleman spare us of the daily damages we experience to our appliances. Resign now!!!
“Sisala Clueless”, that is what the title of this article should have been. But I do not believe for one moment that the MD does not know what happened, that’s bull.(5, Patriot), damn dude! get a life, man. Need I say more?
ZESCO yet to establish cause of power failure. And then what will happen after establishing the truth? these political appointments are a draw back. Pliz change the constitution so that whoever whats to head such institutions shoud be interviewed and be able to deliver. I thought Sisala was supposed to be fired during the SADC summit but he survived what happend? Hell knows.
may GRZ look at making solar power generation equipment duty free?? We all know this is the way forward but after ZRA is through with you …you might as well stay with ZESCO!!
ah I remember the “good” old days we used to experience power failures at UTH. Honestly in 2008 you still want to use candles in wards! Its good ICU, theaters and PICU had backup generators but that still isn’t good enough.Apparently UTH gysers haven’t worked since the 1970s.Patients have to bath cold water.Come on folks step up your game!!
Countrymen, the buck stops at the CEO of one entity called GRZ……and i guess at his employers. Once the employers of this of this CEO recruit a suitably qualified individual most of these problems will be history.. but i cannot bet on that, we Zambians seem to have an affinity for incompetent leaders…. Let us try to improve on this next time…then there will be no Sisala and Salasini and… list is endless
17 drown in Zambia boat tragedy
Seventeen people have drowned in central Zambia after their boat capsized as they were being ferried across a lake to a funeral, an official said on Monday.The victims of Friday’s accident on Lake Lusibashi included 13 females and one male from the same family who were on their way to attend the funeral close near the town of Serenje in Zambia’s Central province.
“It’s confirmed that 17 people drowned on Friday when their canoe capsized,” Ackimson Banda, a government minister with responsibility for the central region.The minister said all the bodies were recovered from the water over the weekend and immediately buried in nearby villages.
This is the second time such a problem is occuring. Anyway its a known fact that Sisala belongs to the FAMILY TREE and as such the man is extremely safe from the AXE no matter what happens to the POWER SUPPLY in this country. If the same had happened elsewhere your guese could have been as good as mine.
Sisala must resign willing patu taishiba ichito like his predecessors like Musonda and Sikaluzye. Manje this chap has bought shares in CEC, shame ! Shemuna !
Excerpts (3 & 11),
(1)-Let us have somebody without links to LPM, autonomous and brave at Zesco and you will see the transformation they will bring to the company. These LPM relations are spoiling it for the Zeds.
(2)- will not earn you a place amongst the elite, to which we belong. End.
Ubutu (3 & 11),
We understand you are a kid with multiple perceptions driven by internal strifes at getting to your life dream.
Ubutu (3 & 11),
Was Robinson Mwansa the previous ZESCO MD who lost a multi million dollar farm at the wrath of a failed public and employees a member of the Mwanawasa lineage?????? The failed Zambians turned into arsonists in 1998 on his farm brazing to ashes a field of 2000 plus bags of corn and machinery.Wasn’t Mwansa a successful icon in SA but most a disaster in ZESCO? Now what has the first family got to do in your envy equation for Sisala?
Ubututu (3 & 11)
Ubututu3 & 11),
Your so called family tree taunts are pure loads of garbage. Not tearing you down but sincere to say it. Yours have no thrust whatsoever in any power equation. The sooner you get that, the better you vest your time productively.
Your tendency of dressing up yourself elitism which you so much flaunt about in the cyber world even if you don’t understand it is absolutely out of context here because as patriots we don’t & you never see us swim in that strife or flaunt your way in the virtual world. Just freely criticize with some intellectual thrust & objectivity then we will withdraw the conclusion that you are an envious class A retard struggling with your mind unfit for anything in public domains.
Ubututu (3 & 11),
Sound leadership does not thrive on hire and fire options except were wanting beyond reasonable doubt. Good leadership neither engage in blame games nor impulsively act on the whims of irrational criticism but face issues head on & dissect them getting to the core of encounters with a sense of existentialism in those entrusted with responsibility.
Ubututu (3 & 11),
H.E President’s executive approach to the “ZESCO issues has been prudent, visionary & above reproach. To be a qualified CEO with lineage to the Executive office of the day is not a constitutional or an ethical glitch in view of the fact that Rodney Sisala is a Zambian and in the job on full approval of a functional Board that vetted his credentials and monitor his performance.
Ubututu(3& 11),
Abuse and impulsive executive office decisions have trails of failure in this nation since 1972 worsened between 91-2000 during our failed state days. It has taken President Mwanawasa’s technocratic administration to reverse Zambia from the down trend. Strong fundamentals are now in place for another Generation to move the country to another level. Your family tree ranting belongs to an empty room you belong to.
There is NO POWER AGAIN IN ZAMBIA AND PIPO CANT WATCH FOOTBALL.
SISALA RESIGN TOMORROW
Patriot what have to say. Zambia is again in BLackout the whole Nation
Another black out.
YES My friend..Just call Zambia and you will be told.Tomorrow demo for removal of Sisala
HK,
Yes there is a blanket blackout in the country a sad situation indeed.But patriots with insight & focus on vital & strategic installations are jointly working it out to restore the situation in joint service with ZESCO engineers.That regrettable situation cannot be the basis of resignation or dismissal unless there are other grounds of gross negligence & managerial sabotage.Under such times patriots who have a patriotic mandate of auditing national vital installations are more active.
The 2008-2010 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) spells out the Kariba North Bank Extension Project to commence by March 2008. I wonder if this is on course. ZESCO data shows that we generated less electricity in 2007 compared to 2006. With all the increased economic activities, especially in mining, coupled with faulty equipment, ZESCO is increasingly not able to cope with demand. We need a major capital injection in this sector before the little economic gains we’ve made are eroded
Everyone can clearly see that Patriot is part of the family tree and the tone is like someone I know from Masaiti who I always see kneeling in front of LPM. If Patriot was a sensible person then he could clearly see the damage these blackouts are doing on our economic infrastructure. But just because of dependance on handouts he cannot visualise these things.
Abash PATRIOT. Uliwa fake. Sisala is extremely incompetent and as such should resign or get fired. You remember Mpombo and the OIL scam. We all expected an axe to befall him but alas! THE FAMILY TREE WAS IN CONTROL. The same is the case with Rodney. There are alot of competent Zambians who can take care of ZESCO operations than LPM’s relatives. ZAMBIA is not a ka Ntemba for LPM