Kapasa area in Chipangali District of Eastern Province is earmarked to get power supply this year through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).
This follows the handover of the connectivity project to Mass Global Investments Limited.
The project that will be completed in November this year will translate into electricity being supplied to Kapasa Primary School, Kapasa Rural Health Centre, Kapasa Trading Area, and the surrounding communities in the area.
Speaking during an orientation meeting with community members, REA Regional Manager Engineer Lavender Kamanga said that the project will cost over 4 million Kwacha.
“The power supply will include 671 metres transmission line, and 8.1 kilometres of distribution network. We will put three transformers, which include two 100KVA transformers and one 15 KVA transformer” Ms Kamanga said.
Ms Kamanga noted that the contractor has been given 14 days to mobilise and commence work.
She also emphasised that the project will involve close collaborations with stakeholders imcluding, REA, ZESCO, Mass Global Investments Limited as the contractor, and the community.
“Our role as REA is to ensure that the contractor does the correct by job by using quality material, working well with the community, and deliver on time. After our work is done with the contractor, ZESCO will come in to ensure that electricity is lit in the area” she said.
Ms Kamanga encouraged the community members to ensure that internal wiring was done in their homes, amongst other necessary requirements, so that power can reach their homes once the project is complete.
Meanwhile, Mass Global Investments Limited Project Manager Taurai Chundu assured the community that the project will be completed on time.
“We have done many projects with REA and we have worked very well. One of the reasons we are here to undertake this project is the good record we have of delivering on time. Our goal is to ensure that we complete the project before November,” Mr Chundu said.
The Project Manager has urged the community to collaborate and cooperate well for successful execution and delivery of the project.
Mr Chundu pledged to work well with the community, and ensure that some members of the community were empowered throughout the course of the project.
And Chipangali District Registrar Edward Nkhoma who represented the office of District Commissioner, called on the community members to take ownership of the project by being responsible citizens to promote sustainable development.
“Let us avoid theft at all cost. The equipment that is coming here is for our own benefit as a community and it will help people in their businesses. Let us receive this project with gratitude and take responsibility,” Mr Nkhoma said.
Mr Nkhoma also commended government through President Hakainde Hichilema for the initiative to provide power supply to the area, which he said, will go a long way in uplifting the lives of the community members.
And the community expressed gratitude to REA for the project, which will help improve their livelihood.
Gwenje Village Headman Enock Moyo has commended government for considering the people of Kapasa area by providing electricity.
He has assured REA that the community will cooperate with the contractor.
One member of the community, Leah Phiri, further expressed great joy at the introduction of this project, noting that it will not only make business easier but also boost school performance, as school-going children will be able to study anytime of the day.
