REA hands over proposed Luampa substation site to contractor

REA hands over proposed Luampa substation site to contractor

Kaoma, March 29, 2013, ZANIS — Government through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has officially handed over the Luampa substation site to the contractor which will cost KR 8.6 million.

And Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Charles Zulu said government is determined to deliver power to the people of Luampa who have been waiting for a long time.

REA Corporate Affairs Manager Justin Mukosa said the authority recognises government’s support to rural electrification through its continued funding of the projects.

Mr. Mukosa said the authority will also continue the installation of solar system both at private and public institutions throughout the year.

“The authority wants to commend government for the continued evident support in ensuring the objectives of rural electrification are implemented through its continued funding of the programmes,” he said.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Mukosa said this at a ground breaking ceremony and officially handing over the site to the contractor in Luampa District today

He added that the authority will ensure that all projects being implemented are completed during that stipulated periods.

And Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Charles Zulu said government is determined to deliver power to the people of Luampa who have been waiting for a long time.

Mr. Zulu said once the project is completed, Luampa district will be connected to the national electricity grid.

“Government remains committed to achieving the 50 percent set target of electrifying the rural areas of Zambia by the year 2030 and in line with vision 2030 of meeting minimum basic needs such as electricity,” the Minister said.

He said government will not panic in implementing its promises and projects saying government wants to deliver quality services to its people.

Mr. Zulu pointed out that the ongoing country wide developmental programmes indicate a good political will the Patriotic Front government has.

He has since urged the people of Luampa to guard the infrastructure jealously against vandalism as it is intended for their benefit.

“Looking at how much government is going to spend on this project through REA, I urge the people of Luampa to guard the infrastructure jealously against vandalism as it is intended for your benefit,” Mr. Zulu urged.

Earlier, Luampa Area Member of Parliament Josphine Limata appealed to the people of Luampa to work positively with the contractor for their betterment adding that electrifying the area is part of developing it.

And Luampa District Commissioner Richard Simbula said once the area is connected, there will be massive development in the newly declared distict.

Currently it is only Luampa Mission hospital and its staff who are connected to power which is also facing its own challenges.

Meanwhile, the contractor Earthrow Investments LTD Director Willie Musonda said the project will be done in six months and is expected to contract 25 local people.

The electrification of Luampa was planned to be implemented into two phases the first one being of constructing the 11KV line which was completed in 2011 while the second phase is to construct the 66/33 2.5 MVA substation.