President Hakainde Hichilema is not forcing Zambians to switch to solar energy during the ongoing electricity crisis the country is experiencing but merely encouraging those who can afford to do, Vice President Mutale Nalumango says.
Speaking in Chalimbana, Chongwe district, ahead of a UPND party caucus, Nalumango refuted growing assertions that the Head of State is forcing every Zambian to buy solar energy solutions and stated that he is only encouraging those who can afford the cost of solar as an alternative source of electricity, to seize the opportunity.
In recent weeks, some sections of opposition political parties and civil society have heightened allegations that Hichilema is forcing Zambians to seek solar solutions amid the drought crisis which has triggered a crippling power deficit in the country.
The government has grown its concern over the exploitative market prices of solar equipment being offered by businesses despite enjoying tax incentives.
Consequently, ZESCO has disclosed that it has entered agreements with solar equipment manufacturers who will bring in the solutions at cost to significantly reduce the cost and enable more Zambians to procure alternative power solutions.
Nalumango assured that the government is well aware that the power deficit has adversely impacted both domestic users and all the productive sectors of the economy.
“Challenges are there, but we shall overcome them because we are committed. We must look at the good things this government has done under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema,” she said.
During the opening of the Fourth Session of Parliament on September 13, Hichilema said the government shared the pain caused by the energy crisis with the people and that was doing everything it could to ease the suffering.
“Inevitably, this has affected the livelihoods of our people. Our food security has been threatened. Our electricity generation is at its lowest, resulting in long hours of load shedding to completely no power for days for some. This is regrettable, and we sympathize with our fellow citizens for the difficulties they are enduring during this time.”
Hichilema said the government is enhancing coping capacities for people by implementing various recovery and resilience interventions to mitigate climate change impact.
Meanwhile, addressing supporters on arrival at Mfuwe International Airport in Mambwe District, Eastern Province, where he attended the Malaila traditional ceremony of the Kunda people, Hichilema said Zambia reiterated that his government would not allow any citizen to die of hunger arising from one of the most difficult periods in history.
He called for concerted efforts in delivering aid to populations affected by the drought. An estimated 6 million Zambians need emergency relief following the El Nino-induced drought, which resulted in total crop failure in the 2023/24 farming season and affected 84 of the country’s 116 districts.
The government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit is providing food aid and other interventions to drought-stricken people in the affected areas.
