The Non-governmental Gender Organizations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has urged government to foster measures that will ensure that the bigger population and not only public service workers, are facilitated access to affordable alternative energy.
This follows the move by Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with suppliers of solar energy solutions, to enable public service workers to access solar for domestic and agricultural activities.
NGOCC Executive Director, Anne Anamela, says the energy crisis being experienced in the country has had adverse effects on all, and especially those coming from low- and middle-income households some of whom are outside the civil service.
“While this initiative is commendable, Government should be sensitive to the fact that public service workers are only but a subset of the Zambian society that is bearing the brunt of the energy crisis,” said Ms. Anamela in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
She also proposed that Government considers directing more investment to the country’s national utility, ZESCO Limited, to procure solar technologies that can be offered to homes and small and medium business owners at reasonable cost.
Ms. Anamela said this would enable recipients pay for the cost of the alternative energy through a minimal monthly fee to consumers in whatever way is feasible and guarantees that the cost is recovered.
And Ms. Anamela said the concept of smart villages, mentioned by President Hakainde Hichilema recently, in his speech in the National Assembly, is commended.
She said the implementation should be expedited as this will contribute to ensuring the inclusion of marginalized communities thereby leaving no one behind.
By Eva Hatontola
