By Caleb Munthali
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Alex Mbumba during an interview after the contract signing
The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has signed a second batch of 28 project contracts to be implemented through the 2023 work plan and budget.
This brings the total number of contracts to 44 following the prior 16 agreements that were signed in the first and second quarters.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Alex Mbumba said the Authority was implementing more projects following the increase in funding from the Government from 362 million in 2022 to 743 million in 2023.
“The Authority has received more funding from the Government and will allow us to fast-track electrification in the communities we serve. The twenty-eight contracts we are signing today will be implemented at a total cost of K168,542,764. This brings the total cumulative contracts sum for the 44 signed contracts to K348,569,738.48. Through these projects, we will electrify 56 schools, 24 Rural Health centers and 4,395 households translating into 26,370 beneficiaries. These contracts are expected to create about 1200 direct jobs.” Eng Mbumba said.
The contract signing ceremony is the first step of handing project sites to respective contractors. Through this event, contractors were oriented on the expectations of the Authority and community during project implementation.
The signing ceremony was held at the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lusaka on Thursday 10th August 2023.