.KASOLO

By JAMES KUNDA –

THE immediate revival of Mansa Batteries factory has been deterred by inadequate electricity supply to the region, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo has said.
Mr Kasolo, however, said in an interview yesterday that Zesco and some Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were already looking at ways of increasing electricity generation in the area.
“Two potential investors from South Africa have tabled proposals to revive Mansa Batteries but the process has been slowed down due to inadequate power supply.
“However, Zesco is aware of the problem and the provincial administration has been assured that the area would soon be connected to the national grid,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Kasolo said the delegation of South African investors that was in the country recently explored several areas which would be ideal for investment.
“They looked at sectors such as manganese mining, agriculture, solar energy, including the imminent Chembe Multi Facility Economic Zone (MFEZ),” Mr Kasolo said.
He said the Chembe MFEZ was expected to start developing this year, following pledges by potential investors to establish business ventures there.
Government had allocated 3,700 hectares of land for the development of the Chembe MFEZ, which is expected to rake in an average of US$5 million worth of investment, per business.
Mr Kasolo said that the presence of the MFEZ in Chembe would create several business opportunities and transform the newly created district into an economically viable region.