Sunday, September 15, 2024

Ministry of Energy Engages Citizens in Dialogue on Zambia’s Energy Sector

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In an effort towards addressing the challenges in Zambia’s energy sector, the Ministry of Energy held a special engagement with representatives from the citizenry, spearheaded by the FIX IT movement. The meeting, chaired by the Minister of Energy, Hon. Makozo Chikote, brought together key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Peter Phiri, ZESCO Managing Director, Victor Mapani, and officials from the Energy Regulation Board.

Minister Chikote emphasized that President Hakainde Hichilema firmly believes in resolving issues through dialogue, and this meeting served as a testament to that belief. The government recognizes the importance of seeking solutions from various stakeholders, including citizens, to support its efforts in navigating the current energy crisis.

One of the key points discussed was the “Switch to Save” campaign, which encourages citizens to participate in energy conservation efforts. The government sees this campaign as vital in managing the country’s energy resources more efficiently during these challenging times.


Minister Chikote also acknowledged the concerns raised by citizens regarding inconsistent load shedding, particularly in major cities like Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe. He explained that while ZESCO strives for better schedule management, various factors have hindered the effective implementation of load management.

During the meeting, Nawa Sitali, representing FIX IT, expressed appreciation for the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue. He noted that FIX IT had called off planned protests nationwide to create an opportunity for constructive discussion with the Ministry of Energy and ZESCO.

Sitali also highlighted that ZESCO provided a presentation on the current electricity situation in the country, outlining the measures being implemented to mitigate the power deficit. ZESCO committed to enhancing its communication strategy, promising to keep citizens informed through SMS alerts, social media updates, and dedicated customer service lines.

The government reiterated its commitment to ongoing engagement with citizens through consultative meetings and emphasized its readiness to be held accountable for the decisions it makes. This dialogue marks a positive step toward finding collaborative solutions to the challenges facing Zambia’s energy sector.

16 COMMENTS

  1. Loadshedding is pure and simple incompetence and lack of strategic planning. Despite diaspora efforts to provide vital suggestions, these guys continue to remain clueless.

    Cry my beloved Zambia-ku-Chalo.

    5
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    • @Nostradamus stop with the lies designed to induce inferiority complex. The energy Minister of South Africa ni muntu like Chikote. His name is Kgosienso Ramokgopa. The CEO of ESKOM is Dan Marokane. President Ramaphosa created a dedicated Energy portfolio from March 2023 and then CEO De Ruyter, a muzungu left for the US. Marokane took over in March 2024.
      The muzungu is remembered for among other things his statement that only he could solve ESKOM’s problems but he failed to end loadshedding and blamed everything on politicians.

    • However Ramokgopa and Marokane presided over a Generation operational recovery plan that is still working and the country is going through its winter having waved goodbye to loadshedding 10 months ago. What is the lesson for you “Muzungu niwamene aziba nchitos”? Believe in yourselves! You can do it!!

  2. Everyone suddenly wakes up when we are at a critical stage
    and no heads have rolled
    Are they waiting for zesco top management to resign with full benifits ??

  3. They are all useless period, wasting pipo’s time. You can talk all you want but the back starts with your boss hh

  4. I counseled a lot of friends to go solar a while back. A few including myself have been off grid for a while now. Just ditch this ZESCO non.non.non.sense and move along the way we did with water from the incompetent councils.

  5. It’s a good development. How do people start with protest before trying dialogue? Common sense has prevailed.

  6. Afghanistan has no loadshedding. Rwanda has no loadshedding. Malawi has no loashedding. Rwanda has no loadshedding. In South Africa have no loadshedding. Only Zambia has loadshedding due to poor goevernance

  7. Not serious in constant power ,not in serious economic development ,not serious in winning Olympic medals ,not serious in public sanitation …where does Zambia really do well ?

  8. This minister always begins his speeches with praise for HH. That tells you everything. I’m sure he has installed plenty of alternative power sources at Community house.
    The rest of Zambia can then be invited for a lame dialogue on how we can solve our own energy problems

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