Hamasaka tips Lungu on offering constructive solutions”
By Sharon Siame
State House Chief Communications Specialist CLAYSON HAMASAKA has advised Former President EDGAR LUNGU to focus on offering constructive solutions instead of politicizing issues rooted in failures of his administration.
Mr. HAMASAKA said the Former President left the energy sector in a worse shape by burdening the country with a huge electricity debt to Mozambique and also failing to resolve disputes between Maamba Coal-Fired Power Plant and ZESCO, resulting in costly litigation in courts.
And Mr HAMASAKA said the nationwide power blackout that occurred on Sunday evening was not exclusive to Zambia but affected other neighboring countries like Zimbabwe who were also affected due to a fault in the Southern African Power Interconnection system
Reacting to a statement issued by Mr. LUNGU criticizing President Hakainde HICHILEMA over the power blackout Mr HAMASAKA said the former President must be aware that mass power outages are not new to Zambia or the region.
Mr. HAMASAKA said similar events occurred under the late President LEVY MWANAWASA and also during Mr. LUNGU’s own Presidency when he was publicly affected by a blackout while watching a football match at Heroes Stadium.
And Mr HAMASAKA dismissed claims by Mr. LUNGU that ZESCO’s current challenges stem from removing “highly qualified engineers.
He said under Mr LUNGU’s reign ZESCO’s payroll was bloated with ghost workers, including individuals like Francis Muchemwa popularly known as “America 2”, who were paid illegally.
Mr HAMASAK says President Hichilema is making strides to correct years of neglect and ensure a brighter and more sustainable energy future for Zambia.
Mr. HAMASAKA says President HICHILEMA’s government is taking tangible steps to attract investment in electricity generation and supply to ensure electricity becomes one of Zambia’s major exports.
