HH dismisses ‘low water levels’ excuse

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema

UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema has dismissed the excuse of low water levels being attributed to the increase in load shedding in the country.

In his weekly policy statement, Mr Hichilema points out that this is not the first time the country has recorded poor rainfall, stating that Zambia has seen severe droughts before than what was experienced in 2014/15 season.

Mr Hichilema says the problem is therefore not about nature,but rather about a lack of planning and implementation by those given the mandate to govern.

He notes the need to seriously invest in the energy sector both in the short and long term if the country’s economy is to be kept up and running.

He says investing in the energy sector should not be limited to hydropower generation but all potential sources of energy available in Zambia including wind.

Mr Hichilema states that the UPND once ushered into office will investing in massive solar power generation by opening up solar power plants in all the 10 provinces which will be added on to the national grid.

He adds that the UPND will also invest in wind energy in the vast plains of Luapula and Western provinces and expanding capacity of small hydropower stations dotted around the nation.

Mr Hichilema further states that the UPND Government will invest in research on energy innovations at the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University; and assess the possibility of opening up new power stations on the big rivers like Kafue, Luangwa, Chambeshi, Luapula,Kabompo.

He says the UPND will endeavour to use data provided by Central Statistical Office in planning for the future in all sectors of the economy including energy, stating that the current scenario where important data generated by CSO is never put to good use will be history.