The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is implementing electrification projects in Itezhi Tezhi Districts to electrify Chief Chikaza Munyama, Chief Shimbizhi and Chief Shezongo’s chiefdoms.
The full scope of this project involves the construction of 118km of 33Kv and 21 km of 400V to supply power to the three Chiefdoms at a total cost of K62,36,041.20. The project targets to connect 931 initial service connections including public facilities and private structures. The first phase of the project is being implemented through the 2023 workplan while the second and third phases will be implemented through the 2024 workplan.
The first phase of the project which is located in Lubanda community in Itezhi Tezhi District in Southern Province is being implemented by Kalijee Construction Zambia Limited at a cost of K12,091.923.40. It will connect Chief Chikaza Munyama’s Palace, the Local Court, Rural Health Centre, Lubanda Primary and Secondary Schools, the Market, and the surrounding communities to the national grid.
Speaking during the site handover, REA Acting Manager Southern Region Eng Newton Ndhlovu said the Authority will work closely with the contractor to ensure that the project is completed within the timeframe stipulated in the contract.
“The Authority is working with the contractor to ensure the project is completed within five months. I encourage you to work with the contractor as the success of this project depends on how we synergize our efforts. We are targeting to make seventy (70) initial connections of which nineteen (19) will connect government facilities and the remaining fifty-one (51) will connect private structures” he said.
“The infrastructure we are bringing here is yours and we encourage you to safeguard it and avoid vandalism. Our REA committee members are on the ground to give you more information on the project” Eng Ndhlovu added.
And speaking on behalf of the Area Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta, Itezhi Tezhi Council Chair Oliver Sitengu encouraged the community to use the electricity productively and assured them that he would continue advocating for projects that uplift the lives of the community members.
“This project is a testament to the government’s promise of universal access to electricity to all Zambians by 2030. Electricity is not just about connecting bulbs. It will help us spur development in the province and improve service delivery in the health and education sectors.
Meanwhile, Chief Chikaza Munyama said he was happy that the Authority was supplying his chiefdom with electricity as it would accelerate development.
“Itezhi-tezhi District is a rich strategic area and connecting our Chiefdom to electricity supply will open it up for economic ventures. Our community has received this project with open arms, and we can assure you that anyone who will be caught vandalising the project will be punished” he said.
Under the 2023 work plan and budget, the Authority has targeted to implement eighty-three projects of which sixty-two are grid development projects and twenty-one are solar projects.