MINISTER of Energy and Water Development Dora Siliya says Government is working on short-term measures to reduce load shedding and make power rationing predictable to enable the business sector to plan.
Ms Siliya told a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that as a short-term measure, Government wants consistence and predictability in the manner power is rationed to protect businesses.
“We will import a further 148 megawatts of power from Mozambique to reduce the current deficit of 700 megawatts we have as a nation,” Ms Siliya said.
The minister said the current power crisis the nation is facing is not a Government problem but a national emergency that requires the input of everyone to resolve.
Ms Siliya said as a long-term and sustainable measure, Government is considering renewable energy such as solar.
“As a matter of fact, on Monday we will have a meeting starting as early as 07:00 hours at Mulungushi International Conference Centre to specifically look at how best we will tackle this national emergency,” she said.
Ms Siliya urged the media to help inform the nation on the measures Government is taking to resolve the power deficit.
“The media has a critical role in all this. As a ministry, we will soon engage you to help the nation understand that we are working round the clock to fix this emergency that has befallen us as a nation,” Ms Siliya said.
ZAMBIADAILYMAIL