firm’s pavilion yesterday during the ongoing eighth Southern Tourism,
Agricultural and Commercial Show Society (STACSS) in Livingstone
ZESCO has spent over K8.9 million on a resettlement scheme for the displaced families in Hachipilika village in chief Sinadabwe’s area in Siavonga district.
ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata said his company has so far built 13 modern housing units for the affected families who in 2013 relocated to pave way for the construction of the 750 megawatts Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power station.
In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Kapata said ZESCO has also upgraded the Hachipilika basic school, built a clinic and three staff houses under the resettlement scheme.
Mr. Kapata further said the Kafue Gorge lower resettlement scheme has greatly improved the living conditions of the people in the area who entirely depended on fishing and farming as their source livelihood.
He said the 25 displaced families had built their make shift houses close to the Kafue river where the 750 megawatts Kafue Gorge Lower hydro power station will be built.
Mr. Kapata explained 13 families chose to go back to Hachipilika village which is their place of origin located about 30 kilometres from the project site while the other 12 chose to relocate to different places within and outside Siavonga district.
Meanwhile, Government says the Lunzua hydro power project in Northern Province to be commissioned later this year will help to stabilize electricity supply in the area.
Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Lazarous Chungu says government is aware of the power deficit in the province which is affecting the livelihood of the local people.
Mr. Chungu said this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on acting Mbala District Commissioner Felix Mungaila at his office.
He expressed concern with the continued power black-outs being experienced in some parts of Northern Province including Mbala District.
The Deputy Minister however noted that the Chinese contractor has made remarkable progress in completing works on Lunzua power project in Mpulungu District.
He added that this gives hope to consumers that the Province is likely to have stable power supply soon.
Mr. Chungu further said the upgrading of the ZESCO power-line from Pensulo in Serenje to Kasama via Mpika will also boost the availability of electricity in the region.
And speaking earlier, Mr. Mungaila said Mbala District has continued to experience frequent power outages which are negatively affecting business in the area.
He informed the Deputy Minister that residents were now becoming angry with the constant power failures without any update from ZESCO on the matter.
Mr. Mungaila however expressed hope that once the Lunzua Hydro Power Station is fully operational, the supply of electricity to Mbala will improve for the better.
Efforts to get a comment from ZESCO proved futile by press time.
I advise all upnd cadres to start workin out,do sum exercises atleast.bafikalaa u r very fat!!!
You what Zambians like you are an embarrassment.This web site is read by millions around the world and one really wonders why Zambians like using offensive languages against their fellow citizens.People grow up!