Zambia’s sunshine is a major commodity that could help the country as it pursues more avenues of energy generation says Herr Gerd Muller, the Minister of Economic Development of Germany also known by its acronym BMZ.
The Minister was sharing his experience of Zambia with Ambassador Anthony Mukwita on the side-lines of German President Dr Frank Walter Steinmeier’s Annual Reception of Ambassadors recently in Berlin at The Schloss Bellevue.
“The three hundred and sixty five days of sunshine is something by all means Zambia must add in the country narrative,” the Minister said with a hint of nostalgia after spending four days in the southern African nation known for its peace and stability.
Four days, the longest the influential Minister has spent in any African country was not exactly planned to pan out the way it did, but for an aeroplane malfunction that meant Herr Muller had to extend his stay and cancel one international engagement.
Herr Muller told Ambassador Mukwita that at best, he was able to spend some time with President Edgar Lungu, the Minister found ‘very’ engaging.
“I also visited a solar plant on the Copperbelt province as well as visiting the Mopani Mine Company and most of all a visit to the border to see the refugees, an area in which Zambia is doing well, and we are fully in support,” Herr Muller said.
The German Federal Government will disburse about US$10 million for boosting clean water for refugees in Zambia in 2019 via UNICEF, water that must benefit tens of thousands of refugees including Zambians that host the refugees fleeing conflict especially from Congo.
An alternative energy project called GETFIT is also being supported by the Bundes government to a tune of 100 million euros this year that shall help narrow the energy gap soon.
Ambassador Mukwita lightly lamented that while the German Minister’s official plane malfunction was regrettable, it inevitably made Herr Muller stay in Zambia longer than any other African country and spend quality time with President Lungu, a positive for Zambia.
“The relationship we share with Germany is great stretching back over 50 years and Herr Muller’s engagement with President Edgar Lungu and other sections of Zambia only goes to strengthen this relationship further,” said Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany His Excellency Anthony Mukwita.
Over the last fifties, Zambia has benefitted to a tune of about US$1billion in various aid cooperation packages agreed upon mutually with the German Federal Government.
This is according to a statement issued to the media by Kellys Kaunda, the First Secretary Press and Public Relations at the Zambian Embassy in Berlin.
4 days, that was probably also the longest Lungu has stayed in Zambia since he has been president.
#1 No Zika in Z…….kikikikikiki… another trib.al, it’s hard to hide isn’t it?
Just ignore this attention seeking rat Anthony…the small chap has no class!!
But surely there must be something wrong with the way Mukwita handles his work.Yes he is a journalist but in his role as Ambassador this attention seeking is inappropriate and quite undiplomatic.Arnt diplomats not generally quiete workers.I dont even know other Ambassadors apart from him.Why does he like working in the press,every little issue he does is in the press.He will embarrass the nation one day,the president should sit him down..
How about putting a self-sufficient solar-powered community centre in every village? Better than some of the $$$ prestige projects for the ordinary Zambian farmer.