The European Union (EU) has invested 350 million Euros towards boosting the energy sector in Zambia.
EU Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karolina Stasiak says this investment is key to the promotion of human dignity among citizens.
She was speaking when she toured Chipata Central hospital in Eastern Province.
“Over the last 10 years, we have invested around 350 million Euros in the energy sector starting from supporting energy generation and distribution among other interventions,” she said.
Ambassador Stasiak further cited the Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation (ZEEST) Programme through Zesco Limited as one of the initiatives being supported to promote power efficiency.
Meanwhile, Energy Minister Makozo Chikote who was represented by Director under Energy, Mafayo Ziba called on facilities that have benefited from the ZEEST programme to ensure sustainability.
“I feel sustainability of the intervention that has taken place is a very key component, otherwise we lose value of the gains we have made so far,” he noted.
And Chipata Central Hospital Medical Superintendent, Mbinga Mbinga expressed gratitude that the hospital was one of the facilities that benefited from the initiative.
Dr Mbinga revealed that power availability in health institutions is very critical, and that most of the operations such as X-ray services among others, require daily use of electricity.
“Everything about our work, from x-ray services to laundry, and cooking for patients require electricity, so we are very pleased to be beneficiaries of the project”, he said.
Zesco limited, with support from EU connected LED lights at Chipata Central hospital and Kasenengwa Boarding Secondary School to promote power efficiency.
