By MAYA NTANDA? –

THE Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) has started implementing the US$350,000 street lighting project aimed at improving the safety of road users in Kitwe.
CEC managing director Owen Silavwe said the street lighting project was worth investing in because of the associated benefits that extend to public safety and security.
Mr Silavwe said the project was being done in partnership with the Kitwe City Council (KCC) as part of its corporate social investment to community infrastructure development in areas of health, social amenities and education.
He said in an interview that street lighting enhanced security and contributed to improving the quality of life by artificially extending the hours in which commercial and social economic activities could be done.
Lighting up of streets would improve the safety of drivers and reduce the risk of all road users during the hours of darkness.
“The street lighting project is one of CEC’s most recent massive community investments. We are currently implementing the project worth $350,000 in Kitwe to reduce the risk of  all road users during the hours of darkness,” he said.
The project scope of work includes rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, replacement of vandalised cables, procurement and installation of solar lights and new ordinary lighting fittings.
It would be implemented in sections with some parts of the city using solar power and others conventional grid power.
Mr Silavwe cited the installation of solar lighting in the section from Ravens Country Club to 23rd Avenue in Nkana East residential area and that care was taken to ensure that solar was installed in an area where no trees were to be cut.
He said the country presented a lot of opportunities for development and CEC was happy to participate and contribute to the economic development of the country.