Tue, 16 May 2017 10:40:13 +0000
By JACK MAPAPAYI
GOVERNMENT is eager to finish connecting North Western to the national electricity grid to facilitate development in the region, says energy minister David Mabumba.
Mr Mabumba said his ministry was committed to ensuring that the whole region was connected to the national electricity grid by July.
“That is our commitment and we will ensure that we work towards fulfilling that commitment by connecting the entire region to the national electricity grid,” Mr Mabumba said.
He was speaking during the familiarisation tour of the ZESCO substation in Kabompo.
The energy minister said Government would spend about US$199 million to complete the power project being implemented by ZESCO.
“And we believe that once the project is completed, it will improve and increase power supply to the region and in turn boost economic activities and production,” he said.
He also urged Eltel limited the contractor undertaking the project to finish works before July month end so that the project could be quickly commissioned.
And Eltel deputy project manager Sonny Sithali assured that minister that his company would ensure that works were completed within the time frame.
He said his company was in a hurry to complete works in connecting the region because it fully understood the importance of the project.
