Chama MP calls on ZESCO to resolve power challenges in the district

• People are subjected to long hours of power outages as power imported from ESKOM Malawi is erratic.
• Find a long and lasting solution to the power challenges affecting the district.
• Ensure that Chama district is connected to the national electricity grid which is long overdue.

A Law maker has urged ZESCO Limited to continue taking radical measures aimed at broadening its customer base by considering bringing on board about 2.1million households which remain unelectrified considering the figure is projected to increase to 3.5 million households by 2030.

Chama North Member of Parliament Yotam Mtayachalo in a statement to Money FM News believes that is the only way universal access to electricity in line with an ambitious 2030 vision can be achieved instead of the power utility often relying on increasing electricity tariffs stating that increased access to electricity translates into broadening the company’s financial base.

“I would like to take this opportunity to highly commend ZESCO management for reducing the outstanding backlog of new power connections from 67,000 to 27,000 which is undoubtedly a progressive step in the right direction,” he said.

Mr. Mtayachalo further appealed to ZESCO Managing Director Mr. Victor Mapani to quickly resolve the power challenges in Chama district as the people are subjected to long hours of power outages as power imported from ESKOM Malawi is erratic hence grinding to halt all economic activities and emergency hospital operations in the district.

He said Zambia’s power utility firm must expeditiously find a long and lasting solution to the power challenges affecting the district by ensuring that there are enough diesel stocks to run generators in view of incessant power black outs because of frequent power interruptions from Malawi.

“More importantly the power utility should also ensure that Chama district is connected to the national electricity grid which is long overdue following the remarkable completion of 132KV transmission line from Chipata to Chama in eastern province,” Mr. Mtayachalo added.