By STEVEN ZANDE –
ZAMBIA has secured USD$3.5 million from the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) to conduct feasibility studies on possibilities of setting up a hydro power station in the Luapula River basin.
Energy Minister David Mabumba said the study which would be completed by April next year, would help determine the possibility and cost of setting up a 1, 000 megawat plus hydro power station at the Basin.
“We are confident that this project plus others that we are working on will help Zambia expand the energy sub-sector and turn the country into a net power exporter in the next two years,” Mr Mabumba said.

MABUMBA

He said yesterday after presenting a quarterly report to President Edgar Lungu at State House that Government was currently holding consultations with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) authorities over the matter.
Mr Mabumba said the President implored the Energy Ministry to work to ensure that Zambia became self sufficient in power generation and supply and to make the country a regional net exporter of electricity.
The minister briefed the President on various projects, which were in progress such as the joint Zambia and Zimbabwe 2, 400 megawat Batoka Gorge, and the 750 megawat Kafue Lower which when fully operational would enhance supply and boost power exports.
Mr Mabumba said energy and fuel were critical drivers of industrialisation and economic growth hence the Government was also modernising the TAZAMA and Indeni facilities to enhance efficiency and
improve fuel supply.
Earlier, the President received a quarterly report from Defence Minister Davies Chama who was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Sturdy Mwale.
President Lungu implored the defence wings to consider engaging in full fledged agriculture ventures to enhance income generation for the ministry and to help contribute to the country’s economy
diversification programme.
Mr Chama said the Head of State emphasised the need for the military personnel to venture into farming crops like maize and animal and chicken rearing activities as these were viable economic ventures.
The President was confident that various cantonment areas in the country would be engaging in self-sustaining economic activities that would also develop additional life skills among officers.
Mr Chama said the sustained peace which the country had enjoyed since independence was an opportunity for men and women in uniform to engage in farming and develop skills that would support them after retirement from service.
He further said the President was keen to grow the agriculture sector into a major revenue earner for the nation.