By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has said the K600 million allocated to Zesco for power generation programmes will further stimulate economic growth in the country.
ZACA executive secretary Samuel Simutunda was happy that Government had allocated more funds to the power utility company in the 2015
National Budget.
Mr Simutunda said the development would see more households being electrified, thereby improving people’s livelihoods and boosting
economic activities in most parts of the country.
Out of the K600 million allocated to Zesco for power generation, transmission and distribution, K71 million had been allocated to Rural
Electrification programme.
Mr Simutunda said the energy sector was a vital sector that could help steer the country’s economic growth once effectively managed.
He said the country was endowed with a lot of water resources which could be used to construct mini hydropower stations around the country
to improve power supply.
“Demand for power is increasing rapidly but proving to be expensive for citizens especially those in the rural areas. We believe that the
allocation will help ZESCO to build more mini hydropower stations around the country with the view of making electricity cheaper and
affordable for the consumer,” he said.
He implored Zesco to ensure the money was used for its intended purpose so that the company could generate more enough power for both local consumption and exports.
He urged investors to consider partnering with the power company and construct mini hydro power stations in the country.