REA LIGHTS UP SOUTHERN PROVINCE

By Jessica Mwansa

THE Rural Electrification Authority (REA) says it is implementing electrification projects in Itezhi-Tezhi Districts to electrify Chikaza Munyama, Shimbizhi, and Shezongo’s chiefdoms at a total cost of over K6 million.

REA Acting Manager Southern Region Newton Ndhlovu told The Scoop that the full scope of the project involved the construction of 118km of 33Kv and 21 km of 400V to supply power to the three Chiefdoms.

“The project targets to connect 931 initial service connections including public facilities and private structures. The first phase of the project is being implemented through the 2023 work plan while the second and third phases will be implemented through the 2024 work plan,’’ Eng. Ndhlovu said.

Eng. Ndhlovu said the first phase of the project in Lubanda community in Itezhi-Tezhi District in Southern Province was being implemented by Kalijee Construction Zambia Limited.

“The first phase will connect Chief Chikaza Munyama’s Palace, the local court, rural health centre, Lubanda Primary and Secondary Schools, the market, and the surrounding communities to the national grid. We will work closely with the contractor to ensure that the project is completed within the timeframe stipulated in the contract.

“The Authority is working with the contractor to ensure the project is completed within five months. We are targeting to make 70 initial connections of which 19 will connect the Government facilities and the remaining 51 will connect private structures,” he said.

He intimated that the REA committee members were on the ground to give information on the project and further encouraged the residents to avoid vandalism and ensure that the projects were safeguarded.

“We would like to encourage the community to use the electricity productively and bring development to the districts by building structures that will bring development and create job opportunities for youths in the district,” he said.

He said REA will continue advocating for projects that uplifted the lives of the community members for the growth and sustainable development of the district.

“This project is a testament to the Government’s promise of universal access to electricity to all Zambians by 2030. Electricity is not just about connecting bulbs. It will help us spur development in the province and improve service delivery in the health and education sectors. As REA, we are working on many projects that accelerate development to many districts country wide,” he said.

Mr. Ndhlovu said under the 2023 work plan and budget, the Authority had targeted to implement 83 projects of which 62 were grid development projects and twenty-one were solar projects.