Zambia: Mitete District, an island situated across the Zambezi River in Western province, will soon get access to electricity courtsy of REA. The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has pledged to connect the island to the national grid. The handover ceremony for the site certificate was hosted at Mitete Secondary school.
Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Chief Stumbeko is excited about the development. The REA will install a 33 KV power facility at the island. Following this announcement, Chief Stumbeko thanked the government for the project.
“The greatest gratitude goes to REA for the great work you have started here. My hope is that this project succeeds. Power has always been our cry since time in memorial, I am happy that I am alive to witness the change,” said Chief Stumbeko.
He urged people to utilize power to help in the various entrepreneurship endeavours. He believes that power promotes development.
“Power will open development opportunities, in welding, salons and barbershops, engaging in poultry and other ventures. Power is indeed life,” claimed the chief
The traditional leader cautioned residents against vandalism and exploitation of electricity. At the same time, he urged them to work in harmony with workers who will be deployed to work on the projects.
Mitete residents gathered to witness the site certificate handover ceremony to two contractors. These contractors are responsible for executing the project, namely, Laatu Energy Solutions Limited and Mass Global Limited.
A grade 11 pupil at Mitete secondary school, Fredrick Libengi thanked the government for the project. He claimed that examination classes will be able to start evening prep studies with the availability of power.
“Once power is here it will greatly help us, we have solar power but it doesn’t work most times in the rainy season and people usually steal batteries and solar panels, we are so grateful,” said Fredrick.
REA Project Engineer, John Salasini said the project is committed to increase access to electricity in the district. He was also present at the site handover ceremony alongside several other stakeholders.
Salasini said the project will be implemented in two phases by two contractors with Mass Global Limited being the first company and the final phase will be executed by Laatu Company.
He said Mass Global will work from Lukulu sub-station covering 31.5 kilometers and Laatu Energy will cover 24 kilometers until Mitete central business centre.
“The project will connect Mitete secondary school, Mitete rural health, Mitete boarding school, district post office, civic centre, district administration offices, police post and other district staff houses,” said Mr Salasini.
He said that the project will commence immediately and is expected to be completed within nine months.
District Commissioner, Patrick Mikosa encouraged people to plan on how they will utilize electricity. He suggested that with power people should establish salons, barbershops, hummer mills, fueling stations, pumping and irrigation and other ventures.