As Zambians brace for increased hours of prolonged load shedding due to the impeding shutdown of the Kariba Dam Power station, power utility ZESCO . and by extension the government, seem at odds to find immediate short term mitigations to the crisis that has gripped the Southern African Nation over the past year.
The power deficit, caused by a severe El Nino induced drought that has incapacitated the country’s 86% hydro dependent electric generation capacity, has greatly exacerbated the woes of the majority of citizens, a cost of living crisis foremost amongst them, leaving the 3 year old UPND administration deeply unpopular.
Paradoxically, the ruling party continues to win local government by elections, a situation the opposition attributes this to rampant vote buying in predominately poverty stricken wards with high levels of illiteracy and ignorance. Of 58 y elections held since the 2021 general elections, the UPND have won over 50, gaining significant inroads in opposition strongholds along the way.
Disappointingly, President Hakainde Hichilema at the official opening of the 4th session of the 13th national assembly September 13th called the power deficit ‘regrettable’ saying his government ‘sympathized’ with Zambians but neglected to give the people any measure of comfort by failing to state what his government was doing to mitigate the people’s suffering, in the short term. He did, however, allude to agreements signed In China for solar power generation ad a new thermal power plant in Maamba which will be operational in 2026.
Source: Lusakatimes
