Africa-Press – Zambia. President Hakainde Hichilema has called for the maximization of the Kafue River’s potential to generate power. President Hichilema who today undertook a guided tour of the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydro Power plant in Chikankata district of Southern, said the Kafue basin’s natural endowment of water is one which must be utilised fully for the country.
“Before the Kafue River gets to the Zambezi River, we can generate more power, at least up to 2000 megawatts” he implored. The President also commended Zambia and Chinese cooperation which has led to the completion of the hydro power plant.
President Hichilema further applauded the local community in Chikankata district for allowing their natural environment to be utilised for national good.
The Head of State said it was pleasing that the local people in the area have allowed the project of the hydro power plant to be erected in the Kafue basin for the benefit of electricity to the entire country.
And Minister of Energy Peter Kapala said the completion of the project is evidence that public private partnerships can deliver sustainable development. Earlier ZESCO Managing Director, Victor Mapani said the company is committed to developing electricity production in the country
“Since the lenders stopped releasing funds to the project in 2019, ZESCO has released over 500 million to ensure expansion in the sector is sustained,” Mr Mapani said.
At the same event, two protocols of sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for the export of soya beans meal and stevia from Zambia to China were signed.
Minister of Agriculture Mutolo Phiri used the occasion to announce that the government will buy a minimum of 100 metric tonnes of maize and the price had been moved from K150 per bag to K180 per bag. He also announced that the Government, through the food reserve Agency, will buy over 1500 metric tonnes of Soya Beans at K11 per kg.
The Minister assured the farmers in Southern province that the ministry will set up satellite points in local communities to ensure proximity to the farmer and that the signing of the soya beans export agreement between Zambia and China will increase production of the crop in the country.
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