The government has refuted claims that it has taken over Copperbelt Energy Corporations (CEC) saying it still has its ( government’s ) own management and infrastructure to attend to.
Minister of Energy Mathew Nkhuwa said CEC remains a Zambian Private Company that is listed in the Lusaka stock exchange and has not been nationalized or expropriated by the government.
Speaking during a joint press briefing at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ( MIBS ) offices at Government complex, Mr Nkhuwa said government is proud of CEC and its achievements in the recent past and the critical role that it continues to plays in the Zambian electricity market.
The Minister noted that CEC which has been supplying electricity to Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) on the Copperbelt on contract which he said came to an end on 31st of May,2020.
He further noted that prior to the exploration of power supply agreement between the two parties, KCM formerly wrote to CEC notifying them on their intentions of not renewing their contract.
Mr Nkhuwa explained that KCM has an outstanding debt of one hundred and forty-four million United Stated Dollars owed to CEC as of 31st of May,2020.
“I am a aware that KCM during its receivership period made a payment of forty six million United States Dollars to CEC,” further explained the Minister.
He added that on 1st of June, 2020, CEC board members collectively decided to restrict power to KCM due to arrears owed by KCM.
Meanwhile, Mr Nkhuwa the Kariba dam water level is at forty percent full and it has collected five meters of usable water out of its thirteen meters capacity.
The Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) is a Zambian incorporated power transmission, generation, distribution and supply company and a major developer of energy infrastructure in Africa, respected for its skills in designing and operating transmission systems.
He said the Kariba North bank power station the water levels have continued to rise due to increased rainfall as recorded at Chavuma measuring points.
The Minister of Energy explained that the country’s power deficit stands at eight hundred megawatts and load shedding for ten hours is being carried out for different customer categories.
“By August, the lower Kafue Gorge will come into play and by December there should be seven hundred and fifty megawatts, hence the deficit will reduce,” said Mr Nkhuwa.
He indicated that by January next year 2021, the power deficit issue will be mitigated.
Meanwhile, Youth and Sports minister Emmanuel Mulenga has noted with disappointment that children prefer being on the streets that in well-established orphanages.
Speaking at the same briefing , Mr Mulenga said from the time his ministry started removing street children from the streets due to COVID-19, many street kids have run away from a number of orphanages.
He noted that his Ministry will soon engage Ministry of Home Affairs and Child Protection Unit to come up with a mechanism on how to remove them from the streets and take them to an isolated far area where they will not be able to get back on the streets but instead be reformed.
A lot of fake news being sponsored by opposition agents. The truth shall set you free. We know the evil sadists abroad too who are spreading malice. They forget that when they are kicked out of those racist countries they will come back pleading for their zambian nationality. Be humble
The of government of refuting, denying and apologies. To avoid being on the receiving end of misinformation, this government should take a proactive role and always be informing the public. What is ZNBC, ZANIS and all these institution the control doing?
Matthew Nkhuwa I have always had respect for you, please don’t do that. Suppose Mutotwe Kafwaya declares Matty Auto as a common garage where every jack can go and repair their vehicles at a charge fixed by Mutotwe without any discussions with you? Would you say it’s a fair decision and that your garage hasn’t been taken over?
In my boots, the PF has failed us on the Energy platform crimate change effects or otherwise.
Power rationing has become the new normal under PF.
Climate change effects or not
On this one, I actually stand with the PF government on their decision to make CEC infrastructure a common carrier. If you critically look at the economics of electrical energy, government decision is correct but they should extend it to Zesco infrastructure also. Whn CEC’s own hydro-power station at Kabompo comes on stream, they won’t hv to build their own transmission line. The Zesco infrastructure will be there to carry CEC power to consumers. Imagine having another electrical energy producer building their own transmission lines around the country. It would be unsightly and environmentally unsound. Loathe them or love them, the PF hv got it right here. This is already wht happens in USA where the electrical energy market is competitive.
“He added that on 1st of June, 2020, CEC board members collectively decided to restrict power to KCM due to arrears owed by KCM.”
THESE BOARD MEMBERS ARE LUCKY TO BE OPERATING IN ZAMBIA
IN SOME COUNTRIES THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR THIS ARROGANCE
AND THEY HAVE BEEN MILKING ZAMBIA DRY FOR MANY MANY YEARS AND MADE THEMSELVES DOLLAR MILLIONAIRES !!!
Zambians stopped listening from even decent PF ministers.
All he said might be true.
Govt refutes, Govt denies this and that …clear example of a govt that isn’t transparent
*****s
@ Nemwine,
Zesco shud be free to use CEC lines, but the price for using those lines should be made by the owner, not the person who wants to use them! How does a tenant dictate what rent he wants to pay to the landlord?
The only reason here is that CEC was becoming political. Even the letter they wrote had no respect for the Government. Its bcoz of the influence of some politicians like Milupi which has caused all this. Why of all mines restricting power to KCM when they also knew that the mine had just been taken up. Why not give them time to settle bcoz some of that debt was accrued by previous investor.
What those in support of what GRZ should understand is that those assets were not received as commission on inflated tenders, they were paid for. So don’t think the owners will not fight back. Expect a costly litigation. Ask UNIP and KK about the failed Mulungushi Reforms
Just wait imwe for pay back. And the costs ll be on the citizens bill. Bare in mind(PF brainless cadres) that all mistakes made by PF,will be paid back with interest, by you and i.
So CEC, play the game also, do not resist, let them supply their electricity using yo lines for 6months or more. And then, “hit back” with interest.
SM@11: I agree that CEC should determine the price Zesco should pay to use their infrastructure. That makes sense also. Thank u for seeing the merit in my argument. It’s wht I am here for : to bounce my ideas and thinking off fellow citizens of good will. The Zesco transmission lines should also become a common carrier.
Ayatollah, why didn’t u advise Michael Sata about the legal risk he was taking by seizing Zamtel the way he did? I hv asked because I get the impression u personally knew late Sata.