Ignore power deficit critics, entire SADC is facing similar challenges

PRESIDENT Lungu has called on Zambians to ignore politicians and civil society organisations criticising Government over the power deficit that the country is experiencing.

The President said the power outages are not unique to Zambia because the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) is facing similar challenges.
He said this at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on return from Bostwana, where he attended the 35th summit of the SADC heads of State and Government.

“Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Angola have power deficits. It is, therefore, for everyone to see and not pretend like you are an island who do not travel or read issues in other countries. We are all affected in a serious way,” President Lungu said.
And President Lungu said Botswana has commended him for effecting cost-reflective electricity tariffs in Zambia.
“A lot of people want to invest in the energy sector in Zambia but subsidies and below-cost pricing did not attract investors. What will happen now is that there will be more investors in the energy sector and there will be enough energy for mines to operate and new mines to come on board,” he said.
President Lungu said it is more important for him to discuss issues such as energy than criticising his suits or policies.

“They will criticise anything even the height they will tell you that Lungu is not tall, you mean you are listening to them; you should choose who to listen to,” he said.
On his suits, President Lungu said the suits are not expensive and that he used to wear similar attire only that he was not in the public limelight.
“I was not that badly dressed, I was a lawyer,” Mr Lungu said.