Power stays on

• Veep says no loadshedding, isolated power outages due to routine maintenance

PHILIP CHISALU

Lusaka

GOVERNMENT has assured the nation that Zambia has sufficient electricity to avoid a return to load-shedding.

Vice-President Mutale Nalumango gave the assurance during Vice-President’s Question Time in National Assembly yesterday, dismissing concerns about a possible return to power rationing.

She attributed the isolated power outages in some areas to routine maintenance.

Mrs Nalumango also maintained that Government would not explain the circumstances surrounding the arrest of former Petauke Central Member of Parliament Emmanuel Jay Banda, saying Mr Banda should explain how he was apprehended.

She was responding to Sesheke East MP Romeo Kang’ombe, who expressed shock that some civil society organisations were demanding an explanation from Government over the operation that led to Mr Banda’s arrest.

Mrs Nalumango called for objective commentary on the matter, referring to Mr Banda’s previous claims that he could foresee events before they happened.

She urged citizens to abide by the law, warning that those involved in criminal activities would eventually face the consequences.

The Vice-President, however, advised law enforcement agencies to grant bond to accused persons in accordance with the law and prevailing circumstances.

Meanwhile, Mrs Nalumango said President Hakainde Hichilema’s election as vice president of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) would strengthen the regional bloc and help Zambia expand its export markets.

“This man is a visionary man. And the recognition of his economic acumen should be appreciated. For him to take this leadership, it will make COMESA even better,” she said.

On Government operations, Mrs Nalumango maintained that the lean Cabinet was functioning effectively and would not affect the passage of the 2027 national budget She also assured farmers who supplied grain to Food Reserve Agency that their outstanding payments would soon be settled.

Mrs Nalumango said Government had allocated K14.7 billion in the proposed supplementary budget for the payments, although the budget was yet to be approved. https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home