President Hakainde Hichilema says government is working on reforming laws to support and formalize private sector trade in electricity, amid the power rationing, induced by lack of water in hydro power plants, due to drought.
President Hichilema says Zambian laws and regulations are being amended for the first time to reduce paperwork processes, to encourage private sector and individual exploration of solar and other sources of energy.
Speaking at a Press Briefing in Lusaka today, the President encouraged Zambians that can afford to instal solar equipment on their own, to do so and wean themselves off the national grid, to leave room for small businesses such as Salons and Barbershops.
“Mechanisms are being put together by the Energy Team to give specifications on where to get solar installations as well as technical specifications,” said Mr. Hichilema.
He therefore said he expects solar companies in the country to bring down the price of solar panels because taxes have been removed.
And President Hichilema encouraged Zambians to stop being wasteful with energy and take proper responsibility, saying the drought has shown that Zambia has been extravagant and wasteful in the past, the reason he said has led to slow economic growth rate.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has re-emphasized the need for prudent utilization of the public funds by those entrusted, saying any deviation from principles will attract administrative action and prosecution.
“When that happens to one of us, we should not be sympathetic as appeals of political allegiance, ethnicity or religious affiliation will not be consider but the rule book will be rigid,” warned Mr. Hichilema.
The President also called on procurement entities to rationalize on the left resources to support the drought induced national disaster.
By Eva Hatontola
