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Chililabombwe Mayor, Acting Town Clerk locked out

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Chililabombwe Municipal Council Unionized employees have locked out the Mayor and Acting Town Clerk’s offices in protest over management’s refusal to sign a collective agreement that would have resulted in a five percent salary increment.

And Police in riot gear kept vigil of the council premises to prevent an eruption of violent protests by the incensed workers.

The workers who had gathered at the council works yard for the signing ceremony were incensed after management postponed the event despite having sent invitation letters and prepared the forms.

They later matched to the local authority’s main offices where they forced the Mayor Wilson Ponga and the Acting Town Clerk Baldwin Chinoya to leave the offices, which they later locked.

Zambia United Local Authority Worker’s Union (ZULAWU) Chililabombwe Branch Chairperson Henry Chabanya, who was at the scene of the proceedings, told ZANIS that the workers did not want the two senior staff due to their style of management.

Mr Chabanya said the council management had been postponing the signing of the collective agreement for the new conditions of service despite having taken one year to conclude negotiations.

The ZULAWU Branch Chairperson, who displayed the invitation letters for the signing ceremony and the collective agreement forms, said the workers felt cheated after having assembled to witness the signing ceremony which was postponed indefinitely.

He alleged that management had declined to sign the collective agreement after the 15 percent salary increments they had awarded themselves were quashed by the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ) for not following the right procedure.

Mr Chabanya, who was flanked by other ZULAWU branch executive members, said the workers did not want the services of the Mayor and Acting Town Clerk because suspended Town Clerk Musonda Mumpa understood their grievances.

Efforts to get the Town Clerk and Public Relations Officer by Press time proved futile as they had all vacated their offices.

AVAP advises political parties over vote buying

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The Anti-Voter Apathy Project (AVAP) has advised political parties to adhere to the Electoral Code of Conduct (ECC) in the forthcoming Kanyama parliamentary by election.

AVAP Executive Director Bonny Tembo says failure by political parties to adhere to the ECC would attract punishment by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

Mr. Tembo observed that political parties have a tendency of breaching the ECC such as the use of Government vehicles coupled with rampant distribution of wrappers and misuse of public resources and campaigning on the actual voting day, saying this was against the code of conduct.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Tembo said his organisation has since embarked on a vigorous voter education campaign to sensitise the electorate on the voting process.

And Mr. Tembo has cautioned political parties to desist from imposing candidates on the electorate.

The AVAP Chief said imposition of candidates in the by election in the by election will cause voter apathy.

Mr. Tembo explained that those imposed on the electorate were not likely to deliver on their promises.

He stressed the need for the Kanyama electorate to choose a credible candidate who would be able to effectively represent them at National Assembly.

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set February 21, 2008 as the date of the Kanyama by election. The seat fell vacant after the death of Patriotic Front MP Henry Mtonga.

United Party for National Development (UPND), United Liberal Progressive Party, Patriotic Front, Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) and All People’s Congress Party are fielding candidates in the Kanyama by election.

Fire guts Solwezi Shoprite

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Solwezi Shoprite has been gutted after fire swept through the shop due to a suspected electrical fault during the early hours of today.

A ZANIS reporter who rushed to the scene around 04:00 hours found property worth millions of kwacha burning to ashes by the fire which begun around 01:00 hours.

Scores of Solwezi residents also rushed to the scene to witness the fire which also caused traffic jam among Independence Avenue and traffic police had to come in to help the situation.

Four fire tenders from Kansanshi mine who arrived at the scene at 05:45 hours failed to put out the fire which up to 08:00 hours was still burning.

The fire fighters and security officers attempted to access entry into the shop but failed although they managed to break the main door with an axe.

Northwestern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Nichola Hazemba, Solwezi District Commissioner, Albert Chifita, Solwezi Mayor Emmanuel Chihili, Town Clerck Jim Zya and Police Commanding Officer, Fabian Katiba and others were on the scene watching hopelessly as the fire continued to destroy goods in Shoprite.

Northwestern Province Police Commanding Officer Fabian Katiba and Solwezi Mayor, Emmanuel Chihili described the situation as unfortunate and a blow to the province as Shoprite was the largest retail shop in the area.

Mayor Chihili said the gutting of Shoprite was a wake up call for the district to acquire fire hydrants since the district has none.

Yesterday, there was no power at Solwezi Shoprite as electricity had been cut off by lightning which struck the line supplying power to the shop. Zesco only managed to restore power around 17:00 hours.

When contacted for a comment Zesco authorities said the fire could have been ignited by some electrical appliances at the bakery where the fire started and not by the Zesco power supply line.

The authorities in the district are investigating the cause of the infernol.

Meanwhile police have arrested two security guards at the scene from a local security firm for allegedly looting cell phones, air time and an undisclosed amount of money which were retrieved from Catalyst Commercial, a private shop next to Shoprite.

The two were quickly rushed to the police station where they are currently detained awaiting court appearance.

Mkushi todler resuced from well

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A four year-old boy in Masansa area in Mkushi survived death on Sunday, when passersby retrieved him alive from a well he had accidentally fallen into.

An eye witness, Clarence Siamate, told ZANIS this morning that Bright Tembo dropped in a well at the back of the house during accidentally.

Siamate said the boy who was earlier seen playing near the well, suddenly dissapeared and a few people that had seen him plalying near the well suspected that he may have falled in it.

She added that the passersby heard a cry from below the hole and upon realizing that a boy had fallen into it a man identified as Mutale volunteered to go down the well and rescue the boy.

Mutale who was immediately tied to a rope went down the well and successfully saved the boy’s life.

And Bright’s mother, Angela Kanjebe, thanked Mutale for saving her little boy from the death trap and advised fellow residents to always keep a close watch over their children, especially toddlers.

Ms Kanjebe also advised parents and guardians to ensure that all wells, whether disused or active, were tightly closed to avoid a similar incident.

ERB defers ZESCO hearing to today

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The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) postponed the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) hearing on the continued power outage the country if facing to today.

ERB Spokesperson Kwali Mfuni told ZANIS in press statement released in Lusaka yesterday that the meeting which was scheduled to take place had been postponed due to the national wide black out experienced yesterday and still persisting in some parts of the country.

The meeting has been rescheduled to allow the electricity utility to restore power to some parts of the country where power is still lacking.

ERB on monday, summoned ZESCO Management to explain what transpired and state the measures it has put in place following recommendations by the experts on the manner in 2006.

On Monday, the whole country was again plunged into total darkness barely 48 hours after electricity went off on Sunday.

Electricity went off monday at around 19 40 hours and was only restored around 23 hrs in some places while in Chilanga power was restored in the early hours of this morning but again there was another blackout. Other parts of the country are still without power.

On Sunday ZESCO management explained that the power black out the previous day was caused by a major system disturbance on Zambia’s high voltage network.

ZESCO managing Director Rodney Sisala said the system disturbance was extensive in nature and affected the system of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

ESCOM, South Africa’s power utility and major exporter of electricity to the Southern Africa region is reported to have cut down on its exports of power to meet that country’s local demand.

Apart from Zambia , Zimbabwe and Malawi equally experienced power failure on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has threatened to ban its members from going underground to work until Government and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) assures the Union that they will be no power outage to affect the Mining Companies again.

This follows another ZESCO power failure experienced in the country last night barely two days after several Miners were trapped on the Copperbelt following a national black out on Saturday.

ZANIS Kitwe reports that MUZ President Rayford Mbulu regretted that during last night’s black out, several miners were trapped underground at Mopani’s Mindola Shaft, six at Baluba in Luanshya and another six at Nchanga Mine.

Speaking at a press briefing held at Katilungu House in Kitwe today, Mr Mbulu said the continuous power outage by ZESCO was a threat to the lives of the Miners that were working underground .

The MUZ President who called on Government to fire ZESCO managing Director Rodney Sisala said there was need for Government to take very pragmatic steps to redress the ZESCO situation to safe guard the lives of Miners whose lives were highly threatened.

He noted that workers in the Mining Industry were more affected and at a greater risk because they work under strenuous unpredictable circumstances and environment.

He further said the unnecessary disruptions in power supply to the Mining Companies would cause a major catastrophe thus the Union would direct all unionised miners working in Mines that were being affected by the ZESCO power outage not to go underground until they got an assurance from ZESCO and Government that the Mines would not have a recurrence of the power altertage.

He added that the Union would not allow the lives of the Miners to continue being put at risk due to ZESCO’s inefficiency and gross negligence to duty.

The MUZ President who called on ZESCO managing Director to resign said there was need for Government to take very pragmatic steps to redress the ZESCO situation to safe guard the lives of Miners which was highly threatened.

Mr Mbulu said Mr Sisala and his management has failed the Zambian people hence the need for Government to fire them and put in a team that would deliver to the Zambian people.

Chief Kanongesha throws weight behind Maureen for presidency

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Senior Chief Kanongesha of the Lunda people in Mwinilunga district in North Western province says he is ready to support the candidature of the First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa if she is adopted as a presidential candidate.

Speaking to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in an interview today Senior Chief Kanongesha said the First Lady has all the qualities to lead the nation.

“I am ready to support the First Lady if she is going to be floated as the presidential candidate because of the qualities she possess,” Chief Kanongesha said.

The traditional ruler noted that the First Lady had proved to the nation that she was capable of leading the nation from the manner she has handled local and international matters.

“She has proved to the nation that she is a capable leader to lead this nation from the manner she has handled International matters pertaining to the welfare of the Zambian people,” he said.

Senior Chief Kanongesha said Mrs Mwanawasa has always put the nation first each time she travels abroad by ensuring that investment is attracted into the country.

“Truly she needs to be given a chance to lead this nation from the qualities and personality that she has displayed,” Senior Chief Kanongesha said.

The traditional leader told ZANIS that Mrs Mwanawasa was not just a First Lady but a leader who has proved herself in the manner she has managed the Maureen Mwanawasa community Initiative.

Meanwhile, senior Chief Kanongesha has called on government to consider looking into the plight of the chief returners countrywide.

Senior Chief Kanongesha said he has made an observation on the condition of the chief returners adding that there is need to improve their welfare and condition of living.

He noted that most of the government workers have their condition of services improved while forgetting the chief returners.

Senior Chief Kanongesha suggested that an office should be created at national level which while address the plight of the chief returners countrywide.

Challenges faced by youths to come to an end, Cifir

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Government has assured youths in the country that all challenges that hinder their progress would soon come to an end through the establishment of the National Youth Framework Policy.

Sport, Youth and Child Development Deputy Minister Angela Chifire says the Policy outlines objectives and strategies intended to guide young people.

The Deputy Minister said this when she officiated at the launch of that Youth Partnership in Development (NPD) in Lusaka today.

Ms. Chifire noted that Zambia’s population comprises of youths representing a 29.5 percent but assured that challenges of unemployment, poverty and HIV/AIDS would be the thing of the past.

She said government cannot swallow all the young people into employment but that the private public partnership is addressing that aspect.

And speaking at the same function, Swedish Charge’d Affairs Ms. Charlotta Norrby reiterated her government’s commitment to supplementing efforts in the Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development in terms of providing more recreation activities aimed at empowering the young people in Zambia.

Ms. Norrby further disclosed that Sweden has assisted Zambia in the health, agriculture and energy sectors.

Stakeholders’ expectations on 2008 National Budget

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Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has urged Government to increase funding towards the fight against corruption in this year’s budget.

TIZ President Goodwell Lungu said in an interview with ZANIS today that the Anti Corruption Commission should be adequately funded to effectively fight corruption.

Mr. Lungu said the ACC is an important institution that needs enough resources to implement its programmes and activities to curb corruption at all levels in the country.

Mr. Lungu said last year huge amounts of money were misappropriated and lost through contracts that did not yield the desired results as indicated by the Auditor General’s reports.

He said as Government presents this year’s budget measures should be put in place to ensure that public funds are utilised for the intended purpose to avoid misappropriation and wastage.

And the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) says Government should provide more funds for infrastructure development this year.

EAZ President Mwilola Imakando said increased funding would help ensure that works on projects are well done and completed on time.

And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says Government should consider revising income tax for workers.

ZCTU second Vice President Davies Chingoni said tax has always been a burden for the workers hence the need to revise it in this year’s budget.

Mr. Chingoni added that incentives such as housing allowances should be seriously considered as workers have not been receiving their allowances regularly.

Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande is expected to present this year’s national Budget to Parliament this Friday.

Generator: UTH sends SOS

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The University Teaching Hospital (UTH) has sent a passionate appeal to both Government and corporate organisations to assist the institution with generators to cushion the constant power outages that have beset the country.

UTH Public Relations Manager Pauline Mbangweta who made the appeal said nurses are using candles to light the wards in the absence of electricity except for sensitive wards where generators are connected.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Ms. Mbangweta identified the sensitive wards as Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the theatre, Neo-natal, the Malnutrition ward as well as the mortuary where electricity automatically switches on, if hydro-electricity by ZESCO abruptly goes off.

She named the general wards which are not connected to a generator and where the medical personnel use candles as paediatrics, maternity, the eye and cancer clinics.

‘’We are appealing for more generators because we do not have enough of generators. We only supply to sensitive wards in case ZESCO disappoints us this is when we use our few generators to supply electricity to sensitive wards while the rest of the general wards our health personnel use candles to light the wards,’’ Ms. Mbangweta narrated.

On Saturday, Zambia was plunged into total darkness due to a disturbance on ZESCO’s major system.

On Sunday, ZESCO Managing Director Rodney Sisala told Journalists at a media briefing that a major system distance occurred on the Zambian high voltage resulting in extensive loss of electricity in the entire country as well as the neighbouring Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Zambia Police ready to deal with possible demos over power failures

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The Zambia Police Service says it is prepared to deal with any possible demonstrations by members of the public over the continued ZESCO power outages the country has been experiencing.

Police Spokesperson Bonny Kapeso told ZANIS in an interview today that Police officers are on alert and taking all necessary measures to ensure that peace is maintained.

He appealed to members of the public to be patient and allow necessary authorities to amicably solve the problem of power failures.

Mr. Kapeso added that resorting to violence would not be in the best interest of public security saying riotous behaviour would compel police officers to react in a way that befits the situation.

And Mr. Kapeso said no arrests were made when Lusaka’s John Laing residents staged a demonstration at ZESCO headquarters this morning to register their anger over continued power failures.

The country has for the past three days been beset with prolonged blackouts raising fears of imminent demonstrations in some parts of the country.

And in Chongwe residents have expressed disappointment at the continued power outage in the district and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) failure to rectify the problem.

A check by ZANIS in some parts of Chongwe revealed that the district has continued experiencing a power black out and frequent electricity disruptions in the past few days.

Some residents talked to accused ZESCO management of being adamant about their situation.

One of the residents and local business man Albert Simukwaya said the power disruption has resulted in loss of business saying fresh foods like milk and meat products have gone stale.

He said the district has since yesterday experienced a shortage of fresh milk compelling a number of residents to be buying powdered and long life sterilised milk.

Mr. Simukwaya said residents in Chongwe were unable to watch the on going Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations due to the power crisis that has hit the country over the past few days.

He charged that ZESCO should stop giving what he described as cheap and lame explanations but instead quickly rectify the fault.

Mr Simukwaya has since appealed to Government to quickly intervene in the matter before huge business losses are incurred.

In Mazabuka, residents have called for the resignation of ZESCO top management for plunging the country into total darkness for two days.

The residents who stormed ZANIS offices in Mazabuka today charged that the current ZESCO management has proved to the nation that it is incapable of running the company.

Spokesperson for the group, James Zulu told ZANIS that the darkness that plunged the district last night from 19:28 to 01:00 is a threat to national security.

Mr Zulu said the situation at the district hospital and town centre clinic was threatening because operations were completely paralysed.

The residents have also called on government to seriously intervene and protect people’s lives.

In Mufulira, the standby generator at Ronald Ross General Hospital last night malfunctioned and failed to work after supply to the institution was disrupted following a Zesco power outage that lasted for hours.

Mufulira District Commissioner (DC) Dyford Muulwa has disclosed that this put the lives of 6 newly born babies at risk who were at the time of the black out in incubators.

Mr. Muulwa told ZANIS in an interview at his office today that technicians at the hospital worked through the night until they managed to repair the generator.

He said fortunately enough, no lives were lost at the institution despite the hospital not having power.

Electricity to the border area was only restored this morning at around 03:00am.

In Luanshya residents are up in arms against Zambia Electricity Supply Cooperation (ZESCO) over power outages with some residents calling for the resignation of ZESCO managing director Rhodine Sisala.

In a random survey conducted by ZANIS in most of townships in Luanshya, residents expressed sadness with the current situation were electricity supply goes for over 12 hours without any warning.
A resident of roan township, James N’gwandwe said the power outages were too much adding that people have not experienced this before.

N’gwandwe said ZESCO management should be taken to task for alleged incompetence because the situation is getting out of hand.
Joseph Ponde of Mikomfwa complained that the power outage in the area went around 15:00hours and was only restored this morning after 03 00hours.

He said this resulted in missing the MTN Africa cup of nations that started on Sunday in Ghana.
He said this is also becoming a security risk as theives take advantage of the darkness to break in other people’s homes.
And a Kamirenda township resident, Tobias Mwanza said most of the electrical appliances were at risk with the continuous power outages.

Mwanza appealed to ZESCO management to find a lasting solution to the problem immediately.
Luanshya was also affected on Sunday and yesterday’s black outs when most parts of the country plunged into darkness.

Two miners injured in blast

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Two Miners from Mopani Copper Mines Mufulira Division have been seriously injured in an underground blast.
The miners who sustained multiple injuries are admitted to Malcolm Watson Hospital intensive care unit and are still unconcious.

The accident happened when the transformer the duo was working on underground, exploded.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Mufulira District Commissioner, Dyford Muulwa, named the injured as John Banda, 58, of Francis Mukuka compound and Joe Panalo, 40 of Butondo compound.
And Mr. Muulwa said the explosion had nothing to do with the power outage which affected the country.
Mr. Muulwa said he is still waiting for a detailed report from Mopani Copper Mines management on the accident.
[ZNBC]

Malaysians to set up mobile phone assembly plant

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A Malaysian cellular phone manufacturing firm ‘M’ mobile is to establish a mobile phone assembly plant in Lusaka at a total investment out lay of US$3 million.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said in an interview yesterday that M mobile, which is to establish the plant in partnership with a local company Melcome, is expected to start operations later this year.
The company would have capacity to assemble about 500,000 units annually.
The minister said the assembly plant would be able to assemble cellular phones for both the local and export markets within the Southern Africa Development community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions.
“Zambia will become the hub for exports of cell phones in the region,” Mr Mutati said.
Additional jobs would be created as a result of the establishment of ther plant in Zambia.
“The country needs investors who will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy and not investors who would only maximise profits for their personal gain,” he said.
The minister also reiterated the need for local investors to partner with foreign investors which he said would go a long way to contribute to the realisation of the vision 2030.
Mr Mutati challenged local investors to take advantage of the conducive economic policies in Zambia to engage in activities which would add value to various products.
“Government has created an enabling environment for everyone so it is up to investors to utilise such opportunities which would not only benefit investors but stimulate growth.” he said.
The assembly will be located off Lumumba in the industrial area.
[Times of Zambia]

Floods submerge crops in Gwembe

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By Tovin Ngombe
Gwembe District Commissioner Dorothy Hanvula (DC) has disclosed that floods have washed away and submerged crops for the people that planted along the river and the lake Kariba shore.

Ms. Hanvula said she has received reports of houses that have collapsed though an assessment has not been done owing to impassable roads.

She said the number of people who would require relief food would increase since most of them have lost their crops.

“The continuous rains have affected people, they could not weed, those who applied fertilizer it was washed away and some crops have been submerged, and Gwembe district have been affected as any other district,” Ms Hanvula said.

The DC said the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) under the office of the Vice President has delivered 100 metric tones of relief food and an additional 200 metric tones would also be sent to the district.

Ms. Hanvula said the World Food Programme (WWFP) would be sending 75 metric tones of relief food per month to the district.

She said the food was meant to caution the food deficit that was projected in 20007.

The DC said the impact of the lost of crops would be felt during the harvest season adding that government would have a heavy burden to address the needs of the affected people.

[ZANIS ]

Zambia Hit by Another Nationwide Power Blackout

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Zambia was plunged into darkness Monday night in what appeared to be the second nationwide power outage in three days.

The electricity network went down at about 7:30 p.m. and was restored about four hours later. There was no immediate explanation for the blackout.

On Saturday, Zambia was without electricity for about eight hours, leaving more than 300 miners temporarily trapped underground in the country’s Copperbelt province. It was not immediately known if any miners had been trapped underground Monday night.

The ZESCO said there had been a “high voltage” occurrence on the network, but was still investigating. It also was unclear if the second blackout was caused by the same problem or if the outages were connected to regional problems with electricity supply.

And ZNBC said about 300 miners on night shifts at units of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) were trapped in shafts for hours after power went off.

The power outage also caused partial flooding at Chililabombwe copper mine, a unit of KCM, as water could not be pumped out, officials said.

Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) Chief Executive Officer Derek Webbstock said operations at the mine were suspended after power went off while equipment was damaged.

“We lost a day’s production and that is 75 tonnes of copper and 89 tonnes of cobalt. Our net loss is $2 million because the switch and associated electrical equipment were damaged at the mine,” Webbstock told Reuters.

Miners at KCM’s Chililabombwe and Mopani Nkana mines were trapped for several hours after the power disruption.

“The good thing is it happened on a weekend when our production is not very much. We also responded quickly and there were no fatalities,” said Passmore Hamukoma, Mopani’s spokesman.

Chililabombwe mine suffered some flooding after water could not be pumped out due to the power failure, while KCM, Zambia’s largest copper producer, was still assessing the amount of loss.

Bwana Mkubwa Mine, a unit of Canada’s First Quantum Minerals said it stopped copper production for 16 hours due to the power failure, but gave no details of the loss in output.

The mines re-started after Copperbelt Energy (CEC) imported emergency power from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia’s Daily Mail said.

Officials say water utilities switched off pumps to protect them from damage as the capital Lusaka and most urban areas experienced water shortages into Sunday.

Help ZNBC with funds to broadcast 2008 Ghana CAF tourney-Mulongoti

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Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Mike Mulongoti has called on the corporate world to partner with Government in order to help Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) air the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Mr. Mulongoti, who is also Chief government spokesperson, said the K5.7 billion that the vendor has requested is too much for ZNBC.

He said the national broadcaster has no capacity to raise the amount being requested for by the vendor.

Mr. Mulongoti told ZANIS sports that such an amount can alternatively be used to open a new channel on the national television broadcaster to further enhance the station.

ZNBC Acting Director General Edward Mwanza in a separate interview stated that the corporation was still making last minute arrangements with the vendor to have the matches televised.

Mr. Mwanza said the corporation Director General Joseph Salasini had before flying out of the country last evening written to the vendor to consider broadcasting Zambia’s matches only on television and radio.

The vendor’s response to the ZNBC request was not yet received by press time.

He regretted concerns in certain quarters of the general public that the corporation had failed to pay the vendor the money despite the TV levy collection exercise was unfortunate.

The acting Director General said in the past, the corporation had televised a number of international football matches for the benefit of the general public.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mulongoti, who is also has described the power disruption that the country experienced over the weekend as unfortunate.

He said the power outage adversely affected everyone adding that ZESCO should further explain the cause of the power failure.

The minister said he has so far not received a comprehensive statement on the matter and urged the power supply company to issue a detailed statement to the nation in order to avoid further speculation.

And Opposition United Liberal Party (ULP) has advised the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) to handle the power supply to the nation with a high sense of seriousness.

ULP president Sakwiba Sikota notes that power failure such as the one that was witnessed in Lusaka and other parts of the country on Saturday has far reaching consequences.

Mr. Sikota told ZANIS in an interview that a large-scale power outage raises national security concerns.

He pointed out that when the country is in darkness, it is vulnerable to forces that can destabilise the nation.

The ULP leader further said power failures have adverse effects on the economy.

Mr. Sikota said economic activities such as mining, manufacturing and agro-exports are undermined by power outages.

He cautioned that investors could loose confidence in Zambia as a favourable investment destination, if the availability of power is unreliable.

Mr. Sikota said Zambia needs a steady and reliable electricity supply, if the country is to attract investors.

ZESCO has explained that countrywide electricity power failure on Saturday around 19 30 hours was caused by a major system disturbance on Zambia’s high voltage network.

ZESCO Managing Director, Rhodnie Sisala said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the system disturbance was extensive in nature and affected the system of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana

Editor’s note:

There is another power blackout in zambia at the time of this posting

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