By Sunday Chilufya Chanda
His Excellency President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has continued to work tirelessly to promote economic diversification through value addition and industrialisation, as espoused in our nation’s development blue-print, the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
President Lungu and his administration is also cognizant of the fact that, without a thriving energy sector, our country cannot attain economic diversification through industrialisation and value addition. Hence, the Patriotic Front (PF) Government has continued to prioritise and invest significantly in energy generation as demonstrated by projects that include the following:
- The implementation of the Lusaka Transmission and Distribution Rehabilitation Project started in 2013, and is co-financed by the World Bank, European Investment Bank and ZESCO at a cost of USD 246 Million. The aim of this project is to increase capacity to 900 MVA, thereby improving the reliability of the electricity transmission and distribution system in the Lusaka area by 2021.
- In 2015, the new Lunzua Power Station was upgraded to 14.8 Mega Watts (MW) from the initial 0.75MW in 1961. This power station has been synchronised to the National Grid. Nevertheless, the Power Station is able to supply power to Mbala, Mpulungu, Sumbawanga export line and Nkamba/Kasaba Bay and other areas, even when the main grid has an outage.
- In March 2016, the 120 MW Itezhi-Tezhi hydro power station was commissioned as a joint venture between ZESCO and TATA Power of India, and was constructed at a cost of USD 245 Million. Itezhi-Tezhi is being operated by Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation (ITPC).
- In 2016, the 330KV Pensulo-Msoro-Kasama and Pensulo-Msoro-Chipata Grid Transmission lines were commissioned as an upgrade from the previous 66KV. This brought an end to the low voltage electricity challenges to our people in Muchinga, Luapula and Northern Provinces.
- The Musonda Falls Power Station in Mansa district has been upgraded from 5MW to 10 MW. This has increased local power generation capacity to reinforce reliability of supply in Luapula province while adding capacity to the National grid.
- The flagship 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower (KGL) Hydro Power Project constructed at a total cost of over USD 2.2 Billion, is another huge success. The KGL commissioned the first 150 MW in April 2020, and within the first quarter of 2021, the KGL will be able to operate at full capacity. This shall end load shedding in the country.
- Finally, the 15MW Lusiwasi Upper became operational by the end of 2020.
Government is expected to add 765 MW to the National Grid and “power and light-up Zambia” to economic diversification through value addition and industrialisation.
Our country’s future remains very bright, and the prospects of Patriotic Front’s Industrialisation Agenda highly attainable. President Lungu will not rest until this becomes a tangible reality for our great country, Zambia.
The Author is Patriotic Front Media Director Sunday Chanda
Same old news…
Inflation up,Kwacha down 50%, debts up,forex reserves down and a Eurobond default.Lungu has achieved diversified economic decay.
When the fist only represents arrogance and division
Didn’t he mention the same old news last year at the opening of parliament
General Elections are on August 12,2021. Presidential Nominations close on May 14, 2021. PF is yet to hold a Convention as required by the Zambia Constitution b4 Nominations close. Sunday Chanda should be telling us when PF is holding its Convention and who will be elected President of PF. We note with interest that ECL has already been elected and sworn in twice in 2015 and 2016 and cannot stand for a third time in 2021. Is ECL going to impose himself on Zambians even though it is illegal and unconstitutional? Which way ECL and PF?
The other week I bought peaceful sleep mosquito repellent for K40. Yesterday went to buy again and found it at K82.
Welcome achievements. The Lungu PF mining policy is also a huge achievement, when it all the legal delays with KCM are done and the Zambia Gold Company starts full production, the future looks bright. Kudos Mr. President.
My president is working mwebantu. This will be the easiest elections we have ever won. In fact we can even give upnd 100,000 of our votes for mahala and we will still be victorious
We need to help producers of goods and services in ensuring that their products and services meet the consumer preference standards
I dont think this moron Sunday even knows what value addition actually means
Ba PF desperately trying to stay relevant
Did you see how poor GBM has become? Uluse ine.
Neither Lungu nor HH are charismatic leaders, in fact both are downright boring. But placed one against the other, HH looks more Presidential than Lungu and looks more promising as a president. Lungu did not win the presidency, HH lost it. I wonder what will happen this time round when Lungu has borrowed to the hilt and sunk Zambia’s economy in order to fit the part. Lungu is like a man who goes out of his way borrowing money to buy expensive clothes and cars to impress the girls. The girls do not know that there is hunger in his house and he is below the waters in debt.
President Edgar Lungu has shown remarkable statesmanship. He has not only brought foreign investment in the country, but also encouraged diversification of sectors like agriculture to increase income of those dependant on it.
National debt: $2.5billion in 2011 to $27billion in 2019
GDP growth:7% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2019
Import cover and reserves: 3 months in 2011 to zero in 2019
Exchange rate ZMK/USD: K3,500 in 2011 down to K21,500( now rebased to K21.5)
The list is endless
LUNGU has brought disaster to Zambia.
The reforms in the energy sector are unprecedented. No politician could have even imagined implementing these reforms. The massive investment in power generation will soon end load shedding. The 900 MVA Lusaka Transmission and Distribution Rehabilitation Project will definitely rid the citizens of the hardship during power outages. The day is not far, that this project will start lighting millions of homes.
The fruits of the planning are visible now. Agriculture, manufacturing, trade sectors are recovering and turning around. The 7NDP has been instrumental in the overall growth trajectory of country’s economy. The situation is bound to improve in time to come.
Buy Zambian campaign will further strengthen the economy and help the local manufacturers and traders. President Edgar Lungu has launched the campaign at a very crucial time. The economy will benefit a lot from it.
Uninterrupted power supply is the key to industrial growth and diversification. Power plays a crucial role in functioning and development of industries. The different power projects will ensure that every industry and every household of Zambia gets round the clock power supply.
Sir, I have experienced how the lives are transforming in Mbala after the Lunzua Power Station was synchronised with the national grid. We are so happy to have President Edgar Lungu at the State House.
Stale as senile PF leadership, who can listen to corrupt people telling lies everywhere about anything.
“…Value Addition”; “Industrialisation…”.. Throwing around buzz words that you don’t even know what they mean don’t mean sh*t. Tje average person just wants basic needs: to put a decent balanced diet meal on the table; decent shelter; clean water; proper healthcare; decent education for their kids and no load shedding. Until you achieve this and provide an enabling environment where this is possible, ‘value addition’ are just buzz words that only mea something to you and your cr00ks because you are ste@ling from the poor Zambians.
Spruiking these projects as the PF success when majority of them are donor funded and foreign partnered. Whether Lungu goes, staysbor drops de@d today, these projects will continue perhaps even at a faster pace… so stop misleading…
Itezhi- Tezhi Hydro power station, upgradation of Pensulo-Msoro-Kasama and Pensulo-Msoro-Chipata Grid Transmission lines, Musonda Falls Power Station in Mansa district, Kafue Gorge Lower (KGL) Hydro Power Project and Lusiwasi Upper power projects will collectively generate enough power to meet the demands and will put an end to load shedding across the country.
This should open the eyes of Hakainde Hichilema and UPND. He doesn’t stand even a remote chance of winning it.
Itezhi- Tezhi Hydro power station, upgradation of Pensulo-Msoro-Kasama and Pensulo-Msoro-Chipata Grid Transmission lines, Musonda Falls Power Station in Mansa district, Kafue Gorge Lower (KGL) Hydro Power Project and Lusiwasi Upper power projects will collectively generate enough power to meet the demands and will put an end to load shedding across the country.
BUT WHY IS ELECTRICITY SO EXPENSIVE? WHY SHOULD ELECTRICITY COST OVER K2 PER kwh IF THERE IS SUCH SERIOUS INVESTMENT BY THE PF INTO THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR? MOST OF IT IS EXPORTED AND MONEY POCKETED BY VERY FEW INDIVIDUALS? WHY BOAST OF SUCH INVESTMENT BY THE PF GOVT WHEN ORDINARY CITIZENS HEAVILY DEPEND ON CHARCOAL AND FIREWOOD BECAUSE OF UNAFFORDABLE ELECTRICITY IN ZAMBIA? YOU SHOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE BLOWING ILL SOUNDING TRUMPETS!!
Prounouncing things in the tenth and final year of PF rule. Too late the hero
The dog has barked. Puppy Antonio to follow next week.
Some dude writing from South Africa under various aliases pretending to be different people… so damn obvious (from #16 Rita below). Why so desperate?