Zambia was currently facing a power deficit caused by reduced water levels in its reservoirs following poor rains. The power deficit has resulted in frequent power cuts. About 90 percent of Zambia’s electricity is hydro.
The Zambian leader said there was no need to criticize him for the power deficit the country was experiencing because this was a regional challenge.
“Namibia, Botswana, South Africa are all facing the same problem. Support me instead of criticizing,” he said.
The Zambian government has come under criticism over its failure to tackle the power deficit problem which has affected economic activities with analysts saying this may have a negative effect of the country’s economic prospects. Industries have been forced to downsize or cut down on their production.
On Friday, the Zambian leader released a statement outlining some of the measures his government intends to undertake to tackle the problem.
The Zambian leader said the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), a government agency that holds shares of all parastatals firms, will go to the market in the coming weeks to raise an initial 500 million U.S. dollars to invest in the energy sector and other related infrastructural development programs.
The Zambian leader also sanctioned a series of remedial measures including importation of power to contain shortfalls in as a short-term measures and the encouragement of investment in the alternative sources of energy.
“This is what I think every day and I want you to know, I want the nation to know that no one feels the anguish of these disruptions more than I do. My government is doing its very best to alleviate the suffering of our people,” he said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
