The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has expressed concern at the under-utilisation of power from some of its Solar energy projects across the country.

The Authority says it is concerned that the targeted communities are not fully utilising its infrastructure constructed at great costs.

REA Board Chairperson Likonge Mulenga made the remarks when she led her Board Members on a tour of the Kabamba Solar Mini Grid in Serenje Town, Central province.

Ms Mulenga says her Board is not pleased that the Solar plant , which is currently generating 30kw, has only connected a kilowatt load to the community since it was constructed a year ago.

“This facility is not utilised to the capacity it’s supposed to. There is barely less than 1 kw over load connected. ..its below 10 per cent utilisation ” said Ms Mulenga.

The REA Board Chairperson said under normal circumstances about 50 houses should have been connected.

There is need to escalate connection of domestic and commercial clients in order for people to access electricity and appreciate government efforts.

On this score, REA management has been directed to ensure that more connections are made in the next one month.

Ms Mulenga said REA will have to engage stakeholders such as ministries of education health and justice on the need to connect their facilities to power to improve service delivery.

She regretted that only 10 connections from the 30 kw power plant has been utilised which under normal circumstances can connect up to 50 houses.

“It’s not giving the benefit it’s supposed to give. Our mandate is to reach to people who are not connected to power and very far away from the grid” said Ms Mulenga.

She said there is need for enhanced value addition to solar energy services.

And to address the concern , REA Chief Executive Officer Linus Chanda said his management team will review the situation and ensure that corrective measures to increase connections in the area.

“We can’t put up an installation like this and have such small connections. Obviously we have to do some internal clean up and come back here and do what we have been asked to do”, said Mr Chanda.

And Kabamba Rural Health Centre Acting sister in charge Cleopatra Mutalimpula said the Solar power has made a difference in the operations of the clinic.

“From the time they ( REA) put this powering system, we are really benefiting very much especially for maternity cases in the night, casualty cases, due to adequate light” said Ms Mutalimpula

The Kabamba Solar Mini Grid was constructed at a cost of K1.6 million with funds from the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre and the Rural Electrification Authority at 60-40 cost sharing.

Ministry of Energy minister Peter Kapala commissioned the Solar project on 4 November 2021.

And Acting Serenje District Commissioner Kennedy Pezo appealed to REA to ensure that the stalled 200 Kw Chipota Solar Mini Grid is completed.

Mr Pezo said the Solar power plant once completed has the potential to generate about 15,000 of power.

And REA CEO Linus Chanda assured the District Commissioner that the two Members of Parliament from the district are being consulted to find a lasting solution that will benefit the people.

The Lusaka City Council has seized assorted beverages and food items worth about K72,780 during the first half of 2022.

A number of seized items were found beyond their shelf life while others missed date markings against the Food Safety Act No. 7 of 2019.

Public relations manager Mwaka Nakweti reveals that the local authority through its Inspectorate Unit also seized assorted ‘wines’ which were wrongly packaged as required by the Liquor Licensing Act No 20 of 2011.

Other food articles were seized for rusted packages, bulging, evidence of punctures on packages, labelling in a foreign language, and suspected stale articles.

She has since warned all perpetrators and business owners who are in the habit of trading any articles unfit for human consumption to desist from such vice or risk the law catching up with them.

Ms Nakweti , however, encouraged members of the public to report all retailers and wholesalers that might be selling food articles that are suspected to be unfit for human consumption.

“ The food offered to the public must be wholesome, good quality and within the shelf-life as marked on the receptacle as food with of compromised standards, “ she said.

This is contained in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka.

Government has local entrepreneurs to utilize social media platforms for visibility and access to lucrative markets.

Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Elias Mubanga says the internet has the potential to reach a wider market and potential importers of various items which entrepreneurs can explore.

Mr Mubanga says for this reason his ministry and other line ministries will support initiatives that are aimed at imparting economic skills across the country.

The minister was speaking when he officiated at the graduation of Zambia National Service Eagle ladies club under the theme: “Empowering Communities for Economic Recovery.”

“The idea of just giving handouts has transitory impact on the lives of the underprivileged and Zambians in general”, he said.

Mr Mulenga pointed out that initiatives aimed at imparting economic skills women and youths that will be supported by government.

The country needs to see more businesses getting established as it is the only way to address the high unemployment levels among women and youths.

“We are in hurry to facilitate the engagement of our people in entrepreneurial activities and the issue of providing our people with life sustaining skills will be central to that robust new dawn government empowerment agenda” Mr. Mubanga said.

He added that the trading of 100 Eagles ladies should mark the embarking on a robust value addition business.

“We need to collectively bolster the economic initiatives especially embarked on by our women” the minister said.

He added that small scale businesses should take advantage of the chain stores in the country to supply their merchandise.

Mr. Mubanga further called on Zambians to support local products.

And Zambia National Service Eagles Ladies Club Patron Angela Solochi said that the club is assisting in the reduction of household and community poverty.

Mrs Solochi added that the club is a contributor to job creation and poverty reduction efforts by government.

She appealed to other corporate houses to come on board and support the life changing efforts of the club.

MTN Zambia in partnership with Impact Hub Lusaka has trained 100 Zambia National Service Eagles Ladies club women in various skills.

The government has signed a host agreement of the Fourth African Union ( A.U ) Coordination Summit with the African Union (AU) Commission which is slated for 14thto 17th July 2022.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at Mulungushi International Conference center today In Lusaka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo indicated that the summit will bring together 13 heads of state and government.

Mr. Kakubo explains out of the 13 heads of states and government, five heads of state and government form the bureau of assembly of the AU and eight heads of state and government chair eight regional economic communities on the continent.

The summit will be preceded by the 41st ordinary session of the executive council from 14th to 15th July, 2022 and it will be attended by the Foreign Ministers of all 55 member states of the African Union.

The event will allow Zambia to build a solid foundation of cooperation with countries on the continent based on shared history and values, respect for the rule of law and rule-based multilateralism.

‘’The last time Zambia hosted a meeting of the African Union was in 2001,in this regard this event is an important undertaking as the country has not hosted a meeting of this magnitude in a long time.

“ It is absolutely crucial that Zambia takes advantage of this opportunity to promote our beautiful country, our hospitality and numerous opportunities in Tourism, Trade and investment among other areas,’’ noted Mr.Kakubo.

And the AU Commission Ambassador Ratebaye Tordeta congratulated the government of Zambia accepting to host the AU summit and for the satisfactory work so far following assessment by the AU team.

Dr. Tordeta added that the AU is also ready in terms of preparedness and all pending issues will be finalized very soon.

‘’For us all the pending issues will be finalized as soon as possible. On behalf of the team, may you convey our deep gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema,’’ said Dr. Tordeta.

ZESCO Limited Managing Director Victor Mapani has confirmed that the plan to dismantle the backlog of electricity connections applications is on course.

Mr. Mapani said as of 31st December 2021, there were 67,000 pending applications which had built up over the last few years because ZESCO did not have resources to finance the connections.

He said with the funds raised so far, ZESCO has managed to make 40,000 connections and is remaining with 27,000 connections, which it expects to make between now and 31st December 2022.

“This means at 60% of the work has been done in less than half the timeframe. This is partly due to most connections done being standard connections that need less or no construction works,” Mr. Mapani said.

Mr. Mapani also revealed that ZESCO requires over US$108 million to complete the exercise.

Meanwhile, ZESCO has revealed that it has made significant gains to reduce the debt owed to Independent Power Producers following successful negotiations with Maamba Collieries Ltd and Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation.

Mr. Mapani said following the successful negotiations with Maamba Collieries, ZESCO’s power supply invoice has been reduced to US$16.5 million from US$25 million per month.

Copperbelt-based Church elder Emmanuel Kasinsa has reminded mining firms to use their corporate social responsibility programmes to uplift the welfare of the vulnerable people in mining communities.

Elder Kasinsa of Pentecostal Believers Church in Luanshya said mining firms should be seen contributing to the well being of mining communities in relation to education and health service provision.

Elder Kasinsa was speaking on Friday when the Pentecostal Believers Church Men’s Fellowship donated bags of mealie meal and assorted groceries to Luanshya’s Believers Community School.

Believers Community School is currently educating and feeding over 200 vulnerable children from Roan Township and surrounding areas.

In his remarks, Elder Kasinsa saluted the Men’s Fellowship and urged the corporate world, especially mining firms to support the education and feeding of the vulnerable children.

“The corporate world has their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). We are making an earnest appeal to the corporate entities. I am talking about the mining companies because we live on the Copperbelt. Mopani Copper Mines, Konkola Copper Mines, Kalumbila Copper Mines, First Quantum, all the mining firms should support noble causes. In fact we are appealing to Luanshya Copper Mines; you are located just here within Luanshya. Set your feet on the ground and share your CRS resources with community schools like this one. It’s a noble cause your monies will be accounted for. We are also asking individuals to support this cause,” Elder Kasinsa said.

“Running the community school for 20 years has not been easy. We have our own membership supporting the works of the school. You are raising a nation. There are many gifts for these children and how else can we bring the gifts out? Until we train them, educate them so that they become confident in releasing what God has put in their life. So to you on behalf of the Church may God bless you,” he said.

Elder Kasinsa pledged Pentecostal Believers Church’s commitment to uplifting the welfare of vulnerable children in Luanshya.

He said besides the community school, the church has constructed a skills training centre within the Church premises for vulnerable school levers and is further planning to construct a clinic.

“We are building a dining hall. We want to build a clinic and build more classrooms. We are asking you, the people of Zambia, to partner with us. Help this noble cause. It is not only for us but also for you. He who blesses the poor God loves,” Elder Kasinsa said.

Believers Community School Teacher Incharge Phelina Ndhlovu hailed the church for its efforts in supporting vulnerable children.

“As of now we have over 200 pupils. We really need learning and teaching materials. We also need desks. The Church has been very supportive. The children here never go home without having their lunch. May you continue with the good works that you are doing and may God richly bless you,” she said.

Member of the Men’s Fellowship Peter Mulenga highlighted the plight of the children at the community school.

“We want to bring the plight of these kids to the public. As a church we are trying by God’s grace but we need help from other well wishers. The children need shows, clothes and books. We are taking care of over 200 less privileged children,” Mr. Mulenga said.

Kasaba Bay is one of the places in Zambia that is synonymous with the country’s late founding father Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda.

Situated in the Nsumbu National Park area in Nsama District of Northern Province along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Kasaba Bay was one of Dr. Kaunda’s favourite working holiday and private retreat destinations.

National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) Northern Region Director, Kagosi Mwamulowe explained that Kasaba Bay is of great significance to Zambia’s history and heritage due to its link to the late first President.

Mr. Mwamulowe said during his presidency, Dr. Kaunda often travelled to Kasaba Bay, which was a Presidential Lodge, for retreat where some historical decisions and policy directives where announced.

He revealed that cabinet re-shuffles were also among the major announcements made from the tourist destination during the founding president’s tenure of office.

“Kasaba Bay is very significant to Zambia’s history because the late first President could go there for his retreat and each time he was there, the whole nation was early attentive because key announcements were made from that side including cabinet reshuffles,” Mr. Mwamulowe said.

Mr. Mwamulowe disclosed that the Kasaba Bay had chalets arranged according to hierarchy of the presidential entourage and had a number of facilities for hosting of high-ranking meetings.

He said the then Presidential Lodge is also important to historical events between Zambia and her neighbouring countries including the liberation of Southern Africa.

The Regional Coordinator cited the hosting of the meeting by Dr. Kaunda with former President of the then Zaire Mobutu Seseko and Mozambique’s Samora Machel on 19th October, 1986 to discuss matters of peace.

He disclosed that it was after the said meeting late former Mozambique President Machel took off with his plane from the Zambia Air Force Base in Mbala before his death in a tragic air crash.

“On 19th October in 1986, Dr. Kaunda hosted former President of the then Zaire Mobutu Seseko and Mozambique’s Samora Machel at Kasaba Bay to discuss matters of peace concerning the guerrilla fighters in Mozambique and it was after that meeting that President Machel died in a plane crash,” he said.

Mr. Mwamulowe has since revealed that plans are underway by the Ministry of Tourism through NHCC to declare Kasaba Bay as a National Monument and preserve its rich historical importance.

And with the New Dawn Administration having identified tourism as a key sector in the economic transformation agenda plans are underway to develop Kasaba Bay as a major tourist resort in the Northern Tourism Circuit.

Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao said government is aware of the rich history of Kasaba bay as well as its tourism potential and wants to ensure that the area is given a befitting status.

Mr. Mbao said promoting the Northern Tourism Circuit cannot be done without the mention of Kasaba Bay based on its historical background and connection to First Republican President late Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

“He held cabinet meetings from there and other African countries were critical decisions were made and the best way for us as a province to honour our founding father is to rekindle Kasaba Bay,” said Mr. Mbao.

The Provincial Minister said the allocation of K150 million in this year’s budget towards the development of Kasaba Bay Airport is an indication of government’s commitment to the actualization Northern Tourism Circuit.

He added that government has also sourced for funds from the World Bank towards the development of Kasaba Bay.

Mr. Mbao, who is also Mpulungu area Member of Parliament, said the money is expected to facilitate the planning and development of the tourist resort.