The Chamber of Commerce in Kasama District of Northern Province says the recently announced establishment of two megawatts solar power plants in all the 156 constituencies will boost economic activities in the country.
Kasama Chamber of Commerce and Industry Treasurer, Owen Moono, says the initiative is welcome, as the country’s economy has been largely affected by the power deficit.
Mr Moono told The media in an interview that his organisation is excited that the two megawatts solar plants per constituency will enhance businesses.
He explained that small and medium scale enterprises will have the power to engage in productivity, stating that this will promote efficiency.
Mr Moono further said the initiative will also create jobs for engineers and others who will be employed to run the solar power plants.
“We also look at the employment aspect, during the construction phase and also during the operation stage, there will be jobs created,” he noted.
And Mr Moono observed that some constituencies will not be able to absorb all the power plants, adding that excess power will be fed back into the national grid to benefit others.
“The coming up of the two megawatt solar project is welcome because we know not all Constituencies will use this power, the power then will benefit others. Councils will sell the power to ZESCO bringing revenue into the council,” he said.
“The initiative will also bring about partnerships between the implementers and local companies, which will eventually bring about skills transfers,” he added.
Christopher Chongo, Kasama businessman, has observed that the coming of the two megawatt solar project will boost business especially ones that have been negatively impacted by load shedding.
Mr Chongo revealed that businesses such as his of running a hammer mill had been negatively affected by load shedding, a situation he said had led to laying off some workers.
“I was not able to pay all members of staff because we were making losses due to load shedding, I had to lay off two members of staff, now with the coming of the two megawatts solar project, businesses like mine will be boosted,” Mr Chongo lamented.
Kadia Culture and Fashion Designer, Kapembwa Mulenga, welcomed the initiative, noting that the industry has equally been affected by the power deficit.
Mr Mulenga explained that his business is dependent on industrial machines which use power to operate and that the coming of the power project will boost the business.
“We have difficulties giving our clients their outfits on time because we only work when there is power, load shedding has hit us badly, we are excited by initiative,” he indicated.
Mr Mulenga has therefore appealed to government to ensure that plans to implement the project in constituencies are achieved.
