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Red Cross delivers K250m worth of relief materials to flood victims

Guest Editor
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The Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) says it has delivered relief materials to flood victims in Shangombo district worth K250 million to alleviate the impact of the floods.

In a press statement to ZANIS today, Zambia Red Cross Society Public Relations Manager James Zulu says the organization decided to procure the relief food and material after it carried out a rapid assessment to ascertain the immediate needs of the affected people.

Mr. Zulu said ZRCS immediately launched a Disaster Relief Emergency Fund ( DREF) to respond to the Shangombo relief needs.
He said in performing its auxiliary role to government, the ZRCS will continue to alleviate human suffering in the district by distributing 400 blankets, 200 kitchen sets, and 200 water containers.

The other items to be distributed include 200 shelter sets (composed of the building tools), 200 tents and 25,000 water treatment sachets.

Mr. Zulu said the organization was also putting up eight VIP latrines at Mbeta Middle Basic School which had its sanitation facilities destroyed.The school prematurely closed three weeks ago due to this problem.

He urged other corporate organizations to assist flood victims in Western and North Western Provinces by donating financial, medical or material resources through the Red Cross.

ZANIS/MK/ENDS/MM

MMD Councillor worries over underage bar patrons

Guest Editor
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MMD Chiba Ward Councilor, Pilate Chilambe, is concerned about the increasing number of under-age people patronising drinking places.

Mr. Chilambe appealed to Kasama district council to monitor the situation and ensure that young people below the recommended age do not engage in beer drinking and other vices.
He advised bar, tavern and bottle store owners to desist from allowing young people from entering their premises as this could promote beer drinking among youth.

He suggested that the Council puts measures to ensure that drinking spots adhere to the stipulated time of opening and closing.

And Mr Chilambe has appealed to parents not to marry off young girls because the practice retards national development.
He noted that marrying off girls at the expense of education contributes to high maternal deaths.

ZANIS/ENDS/AP/SJK

ECZ rejects KCM project

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kcmThe Environmental Council of Zambia has rejected an application by Konkola Copper mines to establish a granulating slag dump at Nchanga Mine in Chingola.

The ECZ has rejected the project because the proposed site poses a risk to human life and mine facilities.

A statement issued by the ECZ says the project site is in a caving area and has asked Konkola Copper Mines to consider providing an alternative site.

The area proposed for setting up the project is within the Nchanga Mine licence Area and within the Kafue river drainage basin.
[ZNBC]

Mopani mine equipment impounded

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Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Mopani Smelter in Mufulira
Copperbelt Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima has warned

Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) management to stop moving Company property until it states its position on the future of its Mines by the end of this month.

Police in Kitwe have impounded three trucks carrying Drilling Bore Raising Machines (DBRMs) from MCM’s Mindola Mine enroute to South Africa.

Mr Mbulakulima said MCM must stop moving Company property unless with express permission from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral development.

He observed that it was government policy that no Company assets at Mopani must leave the Mining premises until the future of the Mine was known.

Speaking at Mindola Mine in Kitwe yesterday Mr Mbulakulima said he had received information from the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) and Police that Mopani was demobilising Company Property at Mindola Mine and transferring the equipment to South Africa.

He said trucks carrying DBRMs at Mindola Mine were nabbed by Police in route to South on the pretext that they were faulty and needed repairs.

He said government was alive to the peoples demands that no Mine property should be moved outside the Country following an international price fall in Copper Prices.

The Minister said it was ill timing for MCM to start moving Company machinery at a time when the Company had indicated that it was going to close the Mine.

He said Police had detained the cargo because government wanted know how the equipment came into the Country and if proper taxes were paid for.

Mr Mbulakulima ordered the police to conclude all the investigations and dispose off the matter within 24 hours.

But MCM Nkana Mine manager Jacob Mwanza said his Company had terminated the Contract it had with Master Drill of South Africa who were the owners of the equipment currently being detained by Police.

Mr Mwanza said MCM will not be doing any drilling in the next eight to nine months at Mindola mine hence the need to take all the equipment which was not theirs outside.

He said he was not sure if MCM had to inform Government about their decision to demobilise but that Drill Masters the owners of the equipment were at liberty to take their equipment elsewhere since they were not needed any more at Mopani.

ZANIS/LK/ENDS/MM

UNZA academician calls for prioritisation of investiment in public infrastructure

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A University of Zambia (UNZA) academician says the country should prioritize investment in public marketing infrastructure.

Dr Gelson Tembo, a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture Economic, said investment in the sector was important as it has the potential to sustain broad based agricultural growth.

Dr.Tembo said there is need for the country to shift from fertilizer subsides and price support to infrastructure and institution development to enhance growth in the sector.

He said investment in public infrastructure such as roads, rail, and agricultural extension systems will help improve agriculture marketing in the country.

He said developing infrastructure especially in rural areas would help improve citizen’s capacity to absorb surplus production and deal with unscrupulous traders.

Dr. Tembo said this when he made a presentation at the National Agriculture Symposium on the ‘market development and food security in Zambia’ at UNZA main campus today.

Agriculture and Cooperative minister Brian Chituwo official opened the two day symposium whose main objective is to harness the Agriculture potential to meet the growung demands of a growing population.

The lecturer said Zambia has invested little in agricultural sector, and in the provision of public infrastructure investment to drive down the cost of marketing the trend which has resulted in market failures.

He further said that the low investment in the agriculture sector has resulted in stunted economic growth and high levels of poverty especially in the rural areas.

Dr. Tembo has however commended government for increasing the budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector in the last three years adding that they should continue with the trend.

He said a survey conducted has shown that increasing a national budgetary allocation to more than 16 % to agriculture will help achieve the growth of 6%.

Meanwhile Dr. Tembo said the country has not fully exploited agriculture export potential as the country has one of the most expensive production costs and marketing systems in the region.

ZANIS/GP/ENDS/MM

Crocodile attacks woman

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A 31 year old woman of Nkumbi area in Mkushi district has been attacked by a crocodile as she washing clothes along on the banks of the Lunsemfwa River.

a week ago, an elephant killed a 21 year old man of Likumbi village in Mkushi district.

Mkushi District Hospital Doctor Cain Simachenya confirmed the incidence to ZANIS during an interview this morning.

Dr. Simachenya said the incidence which left the woman’s right hand crushed happened on Saturday around 18:00 hours.

He said according to the report, Seliyana Nyansulu was washing her clothes on the banks of Lunsemfwa River when a vicious reptile emerged from the river and took hold of her hand.

He said after a lot of screaming, a 14 year old boy rescued the woman by hitting the crocodile with a hoe.

Dr. Simachenya said the women’s hand was amputated after an operation.

He said Ms. Nyansulu ‘s condition was stable.

And Mkushi District Commissioner, DC, Mwila Kunda has appealed to the people in the area to be careful in their movements and avoid moving in dangerous places during late hours.

Mr. Kunda explained that during late hours that animals were too vicious

He said his office has continued to receive reports of elephants causing havoc in the area .

He said it was important for people to move in the company of others so that they can assist one another in the face of calamity.

He has appealed to Zambia Wildlife Authority, ZAWA, to do everything possible to get rid of the animals.

He expressed fear that more lives would be lost if the issue is ignored

Mr. Kunda also warned the people in the area to avoid deforestation and poaching saying such activities leads to animal displacement

ZANIS/CK/CMM/ENDS.

Veep directs MMD MPs to explain Govt programmes to villagers

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Vice President, George Kunda, has directed MMD Members of Parliament (MPs) to explain government programmes to the people in rural areas.

Mr Kunda says people in rural areas are in dire need of assistance and want to see development come to their door steps.

He says government has now changed the new approach of sending ministers and deputy ministers more often to rural areas to explain the fiscal government policies set by the MMD administration.

The Vice President said this at a mammoth public gathering held at Chavuma Boma yesterday.

He disclosed that government has released K10 billion to the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) in all the nine provinces so that rural populace benefits as a way of alleviating poverty among the people in rural areas.

He said now that the 2009 national budget was out, MPs should often visit their constituencies to sensitize the rural people on what government intends to do for them especially in areas of education, health, tourism and mining among other key sectors of the economy.

He said government is revising the conditions of accessing the CEEC funds because government is in a hurry to developing the nation so that it becomes a middle-income nation by the year 2030.

Mr Kunda said each district will be apportioned a share from the K10 billion, adding that 40 per cent is for women vulnerability development while the rest (60 per cent) will go towards men, women and the youths.

Mr Kunda announced that government intends to link Chavuma with an all-weather road by rehabilitating the Chavuma /Zambezi road to remove the barriers that impede development in that district.

He challenged civil servants not to frustrate government’s efforts, but to ensure that funds released by the central government are used prudently and reach the intended people.

Meanwhile, Mr Kunda has condemned politics of insults and appealed to the Zambian people to concentrate on national building of the economy.

The Vice President said government has realized that politics of insults is a sheer waste of time because it diverts attention to developing the country.

He disclosed that the just-ended indaba is one way of consultative approach that government has embarked on so that all the people are on board towards attaining national development.

He noted that Zambezi is affected by floods and he disclosed that government has sent 200 metric tonnes of food relief to the flood victims.

Mr Kunda is on a tour of North-Western Province on a fact-finding mission of floods.

He is accompanied by Gender Minister, Sarah Sayifwanda, Local Government and Housing Minister, Benny Tetamashimba, MMD Deputy National Secretary Jeff Kaande and senior government officials.

And Mr Kunda has described the flood situation in Zambezi and Chavuma districts as serious.

He, however, said government is tackling the disaster situation with a matter of urgency.

The Vice President is using the ZAF helicopter having Ariel views of floods in flood inflicted areas.

Mr Kunda said his office has deployed Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Teams to flood inflicted areas to access the damage and provide resources and other needed materials such as tents and food.

The Vice President, who has just returned from Western Province on a similar mission, has disclosed that a vulnerability report will be compiled and the nation will be told.

Mr Kunda and his entourage aboard a ZAF AF-219 plane departed at 07-30 hours for Kabompo on a similar mission.

Mr Kunda is expected back to Lusaka on Thursday this week (tomorrow).

ZANIS/ENDS/KC/EB

ACC nab Lands officer in Solwezi for obtaining K3 million

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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Solwezi has arrested a Lands Officers and other two people for abuse of office of authority and obtaining money by false pretense amounting to K3 million as land demarcation fees.

In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, ACC public Relations Manager Timothy Moono explained that Lubasi Yuyi a Lands Officer with the Ministry of Lands was arrested for two counts.

In the first count Yuyi charged with abuse of office contrary to 37(2) (a) of the ACC act chapter 91 of the laws of Zambia.

He is on unknown dates but between 4th day of March, 2007 and 24th day of December 2007 in Solwezi being a person employed in the public service the Ministry of Lands abuse the authority of his office.

Yuyi did obtain profit directly or indirectly through engaging Kasongo Nswana to demarcate and dispose of plots in the Kayabela area of Solwezi in breach of town planning regulations.

In the second count, Yuyi was jointly arrested with Cephas Chimwasu and Katongo Nswana for fourteen counts of obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 309 of the penal code chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.

The details of the count are that Cephas Chimwasu, Nswana Katongo and Lubasi Yuyi between 22nd March, 2007 and 30th May 2007 in Solwezi jointly and whilst acting together with intent to defraud did obtain a total of K3 million cash.

Mr. Moono said the trio collected the money from fifteen named persons in the same area by falsely pretending that they had authority to collect plot demarcation fees when they did not.

The trio have been released on bond and will appear in court on 15th April 2009.

ZANIS/MM/MKM/ENDS

Nkhosikazi’s body flown to Chipata

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Zambia Air Force pallbearers carry the casket for the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni's wife Rozinyanga Jere at Lusaka city airport
Zambia Air Force pallbearers carry the casket for the late Paramount Chief Mpezeni's wife Rozinyanga Jere at Lusaka city airport

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Chipata airport to receive

the body of Paramount Chief Mpezeni’s wife Rozinyanga Mazyopa Jere, who died at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka Tuesday.

The late Nkhosikazi, as she is traditionally called, is survived by a daughter and a husband, the Paramount chief Mpezeni.

She is said to have fallen ill early last week when she complained of stiffness in the neck and suffered a stroke shortly afterwards on Thursday.

“Her condition worsened and she was evacuated to UTH on Saturday 4th April 2009.

“Her conditioned improved slightly on Sunday and arrangements were being made to evacuate her to South Africa before she died,” he said.She had turned 43 on April 5.

The body, which was accompanied by the widower, Paramount chief Mpezeni, chief Madzimawe, Sports Deputy Minister, Angela Cifire and some family members, arrived in Chipata around 13:30 hours yesterday.

Senior chief Nzamane, chief Chinyaku, chief Kapatamoyo, Eastern Province Minster, Isaac Banda, Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, Provincial Permanent Secretary, Eularia Siyamujaye and several other government officials and family members were among the mourners who received the body.

The body of the deceased was taken to Feni village which is the original village of Paramount chief Mpezeni where the funeral is being held.

The burial program of the deceased has not yet been announced.

ZANIS/ENDS/SM/EB

Chinese company wins three stadia contracts

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GOVERNMENT has awarded a Chinese construction company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company (AFECC), a contract to rehabilitate Independence and Maramba Stadiums in Lusaka and Livingstone respectively.

AFECC will construct the ultra modern stadium in Ndola.

Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Kenneth Chipungu, announced the development during the official welcome of the eight AFECC engineers at Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka yesterday.

Chipungu said his ministry had embarked on a vigorous campaign to construct and rehabilitate sports infrastructure in the country, hence the awarding of the contracts to the Chinese company.

He said government awarded AFECC the contract to rehabilitate the two stadiums because it is competent, efficient and its costings are also reasonable.

“We have made progress in this regard and the National Procurement Authority has given us authority to single source Anhui International Construction company for the rehabilitation of both the Lusaka Independence Stadium and the Maramba Stadium in Livingstone,” Chipungu said.

The minister said the Ministry of Works and Supply would supervise the rehabilitation of the two stadiums.

On the Ndola Stadium, Chipungu said the dream to have an ultra modern stadium in Zambia was unfolding well.
He said AFECC was a reputable company with a track record of excellence in construction of ultra modern stadiums and sports complexes in Africa and world over.

“As such I have no doubt that the Ndola stadium will be a masterpiece of modern architecture that will enhance Ndola City’s beauty and host various local and international sports events,” Chipungu said.

He said once completed, the three stadiums would attract foreign teams that would qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to come and set their training bases in Zambia.

Chipungu said government would ensure it meets its obligations as indicated in the contract.

He said there was need to have sports stadiums that conform to international standards especially in Livingstone, the tourist capital and Lusaka, the capital city adding that the three projects should finish before 2010.

And AFECC vice president Hua Cheng Long said his company was credited for doing quality works world over.

Hua said the construction of the Ndola stadium would offer his company an opportunity to work in Zambia for the first time.

He said he satisfied with the cooperation his company was getting from the Zambian government.

“We will try our level best to ensure the projects finish in time. We have been to Independence Stadium several times and we will be making a trip to Livingstone to assess Maramba Stadium,” Hua said.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

Zambian Airways directors’ ultimatums are absurd, Government

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Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha
Chief government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha
THE Government has told Zambian Airways directors and

other interested parties not to give ultimatums to investigative wings probing the financial irregularities into the operations of the airline.

Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said it was absurd that directors and interested parties were calling for the speedy completion of investigations of financial irregularities in the operation of the airline which suspended operations in January.

He said it was imperative that people exercised patience with the investigative wings because there were many cases being investigated and no similar demands had been made.

“Many people in this country are investigated for whatever they have done and there has been nobody giving an ultimatum as to when the investigations should be concluded.

“Similarly, the investigations regarding Zambian Airways are being handled by the investigative wings and they should be allowed to do their job without any deadlines,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services minister, advised the directors of Zambian Airways to be patient with the investigative wings, especially that they considered themselves to be innocent.

“If they are innocent, they should wait until the investigations are over because there is no investigative wing that will be given an ultimatum.

‘‘Investigative wings have their own rules and time table to follow and all those giving an ultimatum are doing so out of ignorance,” Gen Shikapwasha said.

The Zambia police, Drug Enforcement Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission instituted joint investigations into the financial irregularities of Zambian Airways.

Efforts to get a comment from Inspector General of police, Francis Kabonde failed as he was reportedly out of the country.

[Times of Zambia]

UTH warns its nursing staff against rudeness

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University Teaching Hospital (UTH) management says it would not hesitate to take punitive measures on any of its nurses that mistreat patients at the the country’s largest hospital.

Making the warning in an interview with ZANIS, today, UTH spokesperson Pauline Mbangweta said any of its nursing staff member risk being dealt with once found wanting.

Ms Mbangweta also advised the general public not to have bad attitudes towards the nurses whenever they take sick relatives for medical attention at the hospital as they equally risk being dealt with.

She said that society and nurses need to have a good attitude towards one another for proper health services to be provided.

She said that some members of the community some times do have bad attitudes when they take their patients at UTH adding that this should not be the case.

Ms Mbangweta also urged nurses at the institute to always listen to whatever the general public community and patients want when they go there at UTH.

The UTH Public Relations Manager added that it was wrong for nurses to have bad attitude towards members of the community when they take their patients at UTH.

She said it was important that patients were always well looked after and cared for by nurses.

Mrs. Mbangweta however expressed happiness that the hospital has not recorded any reports of nurses mistreating patients.

She said the hospital management has put in place measures aimed at changing the bad attitude of some of its nursing staff towards patients.

To this effect, the hospital has put posters at the hospital that indicate what sort of disciplinary actions is taken on offenders and would be offenders.

Ms Mbangweta added that the hospital has been having workshops on how nurses should attend to members of the community and patients in good manner.

She pointed that UTH has in the past not been hesitating to deal with nurses that mistreat patients or members of the community when such reports are received.

She noted that with such measures the hospital has put in place were meant to deter would be offenders.

Ms. Mbangweta added that once such nurses are reported disciplinary action or dismissal is taken immediately.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/MM

TB cases still high

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Kalulushi District Commissioner Joshua Mutisa says Tuberculosis (TB) notification of  in the district stands at 316 in 2008, out of which 113 are sputum positive as compared to 369 cases in 2007 and 127 sputum positive cases.

Mr Mutisa said there has been a steady decline in the number of TB cases, but stated that the numbers were still quite high.

Mr Mutisa said that the disease had continued to be a major public health problem not only in Zambia, but globally and was among the leading causes of illness and deaths in the community.

He said in the year 2006 Zambia notified 52,179 patients of all forms of TB, with the majority of cases appearing in young adult population groups aged 15 to 45 years and the same age group were affected by HIV and AIDS as they were also economically productive.

In his speech read for him by Kalulushi District Administrative Officer, Jacob Musukwa last evening during the commemoration of World TB held in Chambishi, Mr Mutisa said health facilities were much more than bricks and mortar.

Mr Mutisa said that keeping of health facilities safe from disasters was one way of reducing risks and saving lives of people from TB.

He, however, said partnerships were needed among all actors to ensure appropriate investment, sharing of information and best practices and relevant support for making health facilities safe and able to function in emergency situations.

He said this years World TB Day theme, ‘I am stopping TB,’ places emphasis on the fact that everyone needed to play a part in the fight against TB.

He added that the day was important in that it helped to raise awareness about TB in the communities and also in mobilising resources and support towards the fight against the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Mr Mutisa has said that the success of TB programmes lied in mobilising all stakeholders involved in the TB programmes such as TB patients, former TB patients, treatment supporters and home based care groups.

He said other stakeholders that were to be involved in the success of the TB programme were Faith Based Organisations (FBA), families, health workers, government and private sector.

ZANIS/ENDS/EZ/EB

Govt allocates K127 billion for infrastructure development in NW Province

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Government has allocated K127 billion for road infrastructure development for North western Province in this year’s budget.

Vice president George Kunda said part of this money would be spent on the Mutanda Chavuma (M8) road project which has now reached Mufumbwe district.

Mr. Kunda who is on a tour of North Western Province to among others, assessed flood situation in the province disclosed this when he addressed the public in Mufumbwe today.

He further said government also distributed earth moving equipment to all provinces for rehabilitation of feeder roads.

Mr Kunda said government will deliver hundred metric tones of relief food to Mufumbwe district to cushion people affected by floods this season.

The vice president who is accompanied by local government minister Benny Tetamashimba, Gender Minister Sarah Sayifwanda, MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande, Provincial minister Joseph Mulyata and Mufumbwe Member of Parliament Misheck Bonshe assured government’s continued support in mitigating effects of floods endured by some people in the province and other areas.

Meanwhile, Vice President George Kunda says there is need to attract foreign direct investment to Kabompo District.

Mr. Kunda said foreign direct investment is needed in Kabompo because the district has abundant natural resources.

The Vice President said this when he addressed several Kabompo residents at Kabompo freedom square grounds, today.

He stated that government was ready to commence oil exploration in Chavuma, Kabompo and surrounding areas which have shown signs of oil deposits.

Mr. Kunda said government’s oil exploration is in line with diversification programme which it has initiated to enable the country survive the global financial crisis.

He said also urged Kabompo residents to come up with innovative ideas and projects that can be funded under the Citizen Economic Empowerment Fund (CEEF).

He added that government has in the 2009 national budget allocated K10 billion for various developmental project in each province around the country.

He said 40 percent of the K600 million Constituency Development Funds (CDF) will be targeted towards women and other vulnerable groups as a measure to empower households.

Mr. Kunda has however warned against misappropriation of public funds adding that the newly enacted Anti- Corruption Act has been formulated to curb graft.

He urged public workers to prudently look after public funds in order to successfully implement government’s developmental projects.

The Vice President has further urged the workers to support government to ensure that development trickles down to the grassroots.

And earlier, Gender and Development Minister, Sarah Salifwanda called on women in to unity in order to fight and poverty.

Ms. Salifwanda said the various measures taken by women are aimed at ensuring household food security because women are key in planning.

She has since urged women in North Western Province to form cooperatives in order to access the Citizen Economic Empowerment Funds.

ZANIS/WN/MKM/ENDS

Govt to ensure electricity tariffs are high enough to attract investment

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Energy and Water Development Minster Kenneth Konga
Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga

Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga says government is committed to ensuring that electricity tariffs meet the cost reflective level to attract investors in the energy sector.

Mr Konga said today that there is need for Zambia to adjust its electricity tariffs if it is to record substantial investment in the energy sector.

Mr. Konga was speaking when he made a submission on the status of electricity in Zambia at the on going tripartite high level conference on the North – South corridor in Lusaka, today.

He explained that Zambia just like many African countries lacks proper investment in the energy sector due to low tariffs levels.

” There is need for all countries in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Developing Communities (SADC) and the Eastern African Communities (EAC) regions, who form the corridor, to adjust their energy tariffs,” said the minister.

The Minister said the sector can contribute positively to the economic growth of developmental activities within the three regions if it is properly utilized.

Mr. Konga further called for private sector participation in developing the energy infrastructure in the corridor adding that developed energy infrastructure also plays an important role in attracting investor’s confidence.

He added stakeholders should come on board and ensure that all energy developmental projects are adequately funded.

Meanwhile Mr. Konga has maintained that electricity tariffs in Zambia will continue to be adjusted upwards until the cost reflective level is met, adding that this is expected only after all power rehabilitation projects in the country are completed.

He has however called on members of the public to support government’s initiative of adjusting power tariffs upwards if the cost reflective level is to be achieved.

And speaking earlier Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) Cordination centre Manager Lawrence Musaba has disclosed that US$ over 4.7 billion is required to improve the current power generation capacity.

Mr. Musaba explained that the current capacity of power in the Southern region is far below the required installed capacity of 55 Mega Watts (MW).

He noted that out of the required installed capacity of 55 MW, only about 46 MW is available to service all the economic growth taking place in the countries, saying this has resulted in power shortfalls causing massive loading shedding.

He pointed out this also has affected the level of investment by both local and foreign investor in SADC countries.

He added that there is need to come up with infrastructure development such as least cost generating facilities that will improve the quality of energy been generated in the region.

Mr. Musaba cited that on -going major power rehabilitation projects in Zambia and Zimbabwe as having contributed to the power deficit in the region.

He further added that there is also need for SADC member states to devise measures that will ensure successful implementation of the cost reflective and time use tariffs within their countries that will provide incentives in the energy sector for both local and for foreign investors.

Meanwhile, the World Bank has pledged over US$700,000 million worth of support to SAPP for improvement of the power generation capacity.

The three year support will be used towards financing various energy developmental projects such as the Zambia- Tanzania-Kenya and the Burundi-Democratic Republic of Congo interconnectors among others.

The interconnectors which are expected to be commissioned by 2013 will generate an additional of more than 1Mega Watts’s power capacity.

ZANIS/MM/ENDS/MM

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