The Zambia Electricity Supply Company (ZESCO) has handed over 13 houses that were constructed for the people of Hachipilika village who were displaced from Kafue Gorge lower power plant project area.
The power utility company has also handed over a fully furnished dormitory for girls at Hachipilika secondary school, a clinic, staff houses and two boreholes with a solar powered pump as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Construction of the houses, school infrastructure and rehabilitation of the clinic cost ZESCO about K8 million.
ZESCO limited displaced 25 families who were living in Kafue Gorge lower in order to pave way for the construction of a 750 megawatts power plant.
Out of the 25 families, 13 families opted to be repatriated to Hachipilika village in Chirundu with an option of being provided with new houses as compensation while 12 families opted for monetary compensation of K50, 000 cash.
ZESCO has also built houses for chief Sinadambwe and village headman Hachipilika who are the traditional leaders of the people of Hachipilika.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa handed over the houses and other pieces of infrastructure constructed by ZESCO for the people of Hachipilika.
Mr. Musukwa commended ZESCO for compensating villagers and urged the power utility company to expedite construction works at the Kafue Gorge lower power plant in order to address the power deficit the country is facing.
He said government is anxious to see the hydro power project start by the end of this year saying in the next five years, the country should be looking at a developed power station which would increase the generation capacity.
And Acting Managing Director for ZESCO, Victor Mundende said his company has also equipped the community with relevant skills in order to survive and make families that were disturbed comfortable in a new area.
Mr. Mundende said the company’s corporate social responsibility policy prescribes that it remains a good corporate citizen that embraces social and economic values in the course of business by both investing in the community and giving back.
The handover ceremony was attended by chief Sinadambwe, chief Sikongo and headman Hachipilika of Chirundu district.
It is called Zambia Electricity Supply Co-operation, not company!
It was re-branded as simply “Zesco” in 1996.
Bafikala you think you know so much