-Minister of Energy, Makozo Chikote, has praised the media in Zambia for their role in informing the public through their reporting about the energy sector.
Mr Chikote said the accurate and efficient reports on the reforms and growth plans in the sector have boosted investor interest to invest in the area of energy.
He was speaking at the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) inaugural media awards ceremony in Lusaka last night.
He commended the CEC for the initiative to recognise the media as partners in the sector, noting that the initiative is timely considering the challenges being faced in the sector.
Mr Chikote further encouraged the media to be trustworthy ambassadors of the energy sector.
He has since pledged government’s support in ensuring that journalists and other media personnel are provided with the needed information and environment to perform their functions.
And Acting Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Bernard Domingo, has commended the CEC for recognising and supporting the media as they play a vital role in informing the public on reforms taking place in the sector.
Mr Domingo reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the media to thrive and freely perform their functions without interference.
Earlier, CEC Chief Executive Officer, Owen Silavwe, expressed gratitude to the media for supporting the institution as it evolved over the last 70 years of its existence.
Mr Silavwe said the CEC remains committed to innovation in the sector in order to address the challenging energy deficit in the country.
Journalists were awarded for their work in financial reporting, consistency, print media, Television and Radio coverage among others.
The overall CEC Excellence award was scooped by Buumba Chimbulu of the Daily Nation, while most Promising Journalist Award was scooped by Clara Chisenga of Rise FM.
Best TV coverage was scooped by Derrick Chitayamba, Best Radio by Phyllis Sitenge and Best Print by Kennedy Mupeseni.
Others were Best Financial Results reporting coverage scooped by Buumba Chimbulu and most consistent Journalist by Kennedy Mupeseni.
70 years in existance ??
Media awards aren’t supposed to be sponsored by publicity seeking industrys like copperbelt fimofimo. For all we know, He who pays our pipers will be calling the tunes especially at DeadNBC and Zambia Daily Mail to say nothing of Zanis the government trumpet.