The Patriots for Economic Progress is concerned that despite the alleged importation of 300 Megawatts of electricity from Eskom by Government, there is no reduction in load-shedding across the country.
Party President Sean Tembo has wondered whether the 300 Megawatts of power was indeed imported at all.

Mr Tembo said he is aware that according to ZESCO, Zambia had a power deficit of 872 Megawatts at peak hour before the alleged importation of 300 Megawatts from Eskom.

“Therefore, if you have a deficit of 872 MW causing 18 hours of load-shedding per day, then an importation of 300 MW is supposed to reduce load-shedding by more than 6 hours per day. It is evident to all of us that we are not seeing that reduction of 6 hours in load-shedding or indeed any significant reduction at all”, he added.

Mr Tembo has challenged Government to show proof that the $27 million was paid to ESKOM and that the 300 Megawatts of electricity is indeed currently being imported into this country, as well as an account of how this imported electricity is being distributed.

He said without a proper and sound explanation by Government, the citizens of Zambia will be entitled to conclude that the 300 Megawatts of electricity was never imported at all and that the $27 million ended up in some Government officials’ off-shore personal bank accounts.

By Sidney Kawimbe 

In last week’s article, I outlined some basic strategies on how one can survive the harsh economic realities. I received varying feedback from a cross section of society. Thank you a lot. In this week’s discourse, I will start by reminding my dear readers that our country’s economic fundamentals do not paint a rosy picture, what with the raising of the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by BoZ from 10.25% to 11.25%. The immediate implication is that the cost of borrowing will commensurately rise, further chocking the already capital deficient SMEs. At personal level, what this means is that if you have borrowed money from a financial institution, the amount you pay monthly to service that loan will go up or if it remains static, your repayment period will inevitably increase. One can easily discern that things will have to get worse before getting better. Below are some ways to adopt so you can survive and avoid running into debt.

1. Avoid Expensive Assets

Expensive assets are assets that produce little or no income, but generate huge maintenance and running costs. Generators may be cheap when bought are but are sometimes very expensive to maintain, it would therefore be prudent to invest in a once off expense in solar installation if you’re a landlord. If you are a tenant, discuss with your landlord that that you install a solar system and they knock off from the rentals; that is if your landlord is rational. A light bulb is an example of an asset that generates high operating cost by adding to your electricity bills. Energy saving bulbs are better suited. Expensive fuel guzzling cars are another example.

2. Sell Unwanted Assets

Following from above, if you have assets that are a financial drain to you, then sell them. I remember a friend who had a car that he kept repairing. At the end of the month he realised he was spending more money on fuel and maintenance than he would have, had he used public transportation. Of course, he sold it and went for public transport

3. Downgrade your TV subscription

It is pointless maintain an expensive bouquet which you are only able to watch for an hour only; courtesy of load shedding. Downgrade to other cheaper forms say Go Tv or even use your smart phone to catch up with news and your favourite EPL

The Author is An Entrepreneurship Trainer

For Details: skawimbeATyahooDOT

com

Vice President Inonge Wina says Government is looking at ways in which Zambian illegal miners who are being exploited can be supported to formalise their activities.

Speaking when she called on, Chief Sandwe of the Nsenga people in Lusangazi district – Eastern Province, Mrs. Wina said there is a need to protect the local people whom she said can form cooperatives and get support from the Industrial Development Corporation -IDC- to legalise mining activities.

Mrs. Wina noted that the agenda to start the process of regularizing the production of minerals will have well-structured programs.

The Vice President stated that through cooperatives, the miners who are currently quarrying at a small-scale level can be supported with equipment as their operations.

And Mrs. Wina praised authorities at Mawanda Primary school for implementing the school feeding programme which she observed has helped improve school attendance and learner performance.

She said Government wants to ensure every child is motivated to perform better and that the school feeding programme is one such incentive which also improves nutrition among children.

Earlier, Chief Sandwe stressed the need to stop illegal mining and called for serious investors to be engaged in gold excavation in the district.

The traditional leader also appealed to Government to rehabilitate the Petauke/Chilongozi/Sandwe/ Msoro road which is a major motorway linking the district to Petauke and Mambwe districts.

Chief Sandwe said the road which is in a deplorable state needs to be upgraded to enhance accessibility.

And Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu said Government has released an initial 10 Million Kwacha for the upgrading of the Petauke/Chilongozi/Sandwe/Msoro road to bituminous standard.

A Bilateral meeting between the governments of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the Mwenda – Kasomeno toll road and Luapula Bridge project has been called in Lubumbashi.

GED Africa and its equity partner Dunna Asphalt, the developers of the project have organised the meeting.

GED Africa and Dunna Asphalt are developing the project under the Public Private Partnership -PPP.

ZANIS reports that according to GED Africa Country Representative for Zambia Marcus Ascot, the meeting in Lubumbashi will culminate into the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding -MoU- between the two countries.

Mr. Marcus explains that technical teams from the two countries have already arrived in Lubumbashi to study the terms of the MoU.

He says the project will be the biggest under the PPP for both Zambia and DRC.

And Zambia’s Ambassador to DRC, Friday Nyambe has confirmed that Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister Vincent Mwale and his Congolese counterpart are expected to sign the MoU on behalf of their countries on Tuesday this week.

Mr. Nyambe says Mr. Mwale who is leading a delegation from his Ministry and the Road Development Agency -RDA- is scheduled to arrive in Lubumbashi today.

Mr. Nyambe has since commended President Edgar Lungu and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi for showing political will on the implementation of the project after almost 10 years.

And Zambia’s Consul General to Lubumbashi Felix Siame disclosed that the Mwenda – Kasomeno toll road project is one of the main issues being discussed at the ongoing Regional Joint Permanent Commission in Lubumbashi.