ZESCO load shedding a threat to TV lessons initiative

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has cautiously embraced the introduction of educational lessons by the Ministry of Education in Zambia via TV but warned that the current ZESCO load shedding schedule is a threat to smooth implementation of this initiative.

The lessons are scheduled to be broadcast on national television – Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation television (ZNBC TV) saying the announcement is progressive, welcome and must be supported.

NAQEZ Executive Director Aaron Chansa told the Zambian Business Times- ZBT in a statement on April 9, 2020 that this will help to mitigate the collosal academic damage done by closure of learning institutions due to the Corona virus – COVID 19 pandemic.

NAQEZ is however of a strong view that this TV initiative will only cater for less than 40% of the school going population as the majority of Zambian citizens live in rural areas without TV sets and no electrical power, hence with the TV educational programs, it would be discriminatory and extremely unfair to rural children who cannot access television services.

Unless we have another support initiative on how those without TV sets will be able to get access, a good number of learners especially in rural areas will have no access to these learning programs.

“As if lack of television sets is not bad enough,the increased electricity load shedding by ZESCO will, without any doubt,disable the good initiative by the Ministry of General Education” He added.

Chansa has since called on ZESCO to manage this loadshedding better and help some of the young people continue learning in homes. Load shedding hours can cover all the time that education program is running, so there is need for coordinated efforts.

NAQEZ further appealed to the Ministry of General Education to introduce educational programs using provincially based radio stations and community radio stations to cater for learners coming from economically disadvantaged households in villages. Adding to that, all children have a right to learn regardless of where they are.

Chansa has also implored all school going children in Zambia to desist from all destructive activities and get glued to books, educational television and possibly education radio stations for academic lessons as they hold the key to their own destinies.

The National Action for Quality Education in

Maamba collieries fault to result in increased load shedding

Zambia’s power utility company – ZESCO Limited has announced to its customers and
the general public that there will be a reduction in power supply country-wide for a
period of ten (10) days starting 8th April 2020, due to loss of supply of 132MW from
it’s Independent Power Producer – IPP Maamba Collieries resulting from a fault on one of the generating units.

ZESCO Public Relations Manager Hazel Zulu has confirmed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the maintenance works will result in longer hours of load shedding of up to 15 hours per day.

“It should be noted that this additional load shedding has become essential in order to
protect the power system from collapse and to ensure that the available power is
distributed equitably to all our customers,” She added

ZESCO has since continued to appeal to its customers to employ energy efficiency and
conservation initiatives such as completely switching off lights and electrical appliances
when not in use as well as consider migrating to the use of gas for cooking and solar
for lighting.

Zambia’s power deficit has persisted despite the country experiencing normal to above normal rainfall which ideally should have boosted the country’s power generation which is mostly skewed towards hydro electricity generation.

The water levels at the major hydro power generation plant at Kariba continue to be low, though expectations still remain high that the increased flows upstream the Zambezi River would later on during the year improve.

Construction work at the Kafue gorge lower which was expected to come on-stream after quarter one (end of March 2020) have also been negatively affected by delays of experts returning from China as well as work stoppages at the site due to threats of COVID 19.

Zambia's power utility company - ZESCO Limited

No need for further tariff cut as bundles are already affordable – ZICTA

Information communication technology – ICT regulator – ZICTA has stated that it has no plans to push for further tariff cuts for voice and internet bundles following calls from members of the public that the telecommunications industry comes up with packages to support the increased need for online learning as well as work from home on COVID 19 impact.

When asked if ZICTA has plans to coordinate an industry wide package of making internet and voice tariffs more affordable to customers during this COVID 19 pandemic,Corporate Communications Manager Ngabo Nankonde told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview that the mobile providers in Zambia are already offering cheap data and internet services to their customers and that the country is fourth in offering affordable internet services across the African continent hence will stick to that for now.

Given the country’s current situation of having imposed a partial lockdown on people’s movements to curb the spread of COVID – 19, the use of internet services and data bundles has become essential to most individuals and businesses across the country as most people have been confined to take up their work duties from home and students have to engage in learning online.

And in order to complement government’s theme of “ Stay home to keep safe” the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority – ZICTA has called on Zambia’s mobile network operators – MNOs and internet service providers – ISPs to intensify access of internet services and data bundles to the general public and ensure services being provided during this pandemic are of good quality.

Ngabo told ZBT that ZICTA will continue to facilitate and monitor ICT activities during this pandemic to avoid manipulation of information on COVID – 19. She said service providers should as well ensure that best services are being provided to enable people to continue socializing, learning and work through their phones and internet platforms even as they stay home.

She further stated that ZICTA has commended mobile network providers for the continued sensitization messages on COVID – 19 through their mobile services adding that the authority will as well be alert to monitor the dissemination of these messages on ICT platforms.

“In this regard, we are also urging the general public to stay alert and avoid fake information on COVID – 19. We understand that people are currently panicking to hear what is happening around, but you should only believe information that is provided by the ministry of health and official channels provided, She added.

Zambia has of April 8, 2020 recorded 39 laboratory confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus with one death recorded and 7 individuals recovered. Speaking at a media briefing on April 8, 2020 monitored by ZBT, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya confirmed that the country has for the sixth day recorded zero cases of COVID – 19 and has urged the general public to continue adhering to preventive measures provided by government and practice social distance to mitigate further spread of the virus.

Information communication technology - ICT regulator -

Mopani closure linked to CEC deadlock with ZESCO

The Copperbelt Energy Corporation – CEC and Zambia’s state owned power giant ZESCO failure to successfully negotiate and reach agreement for a new bulk supply agreement – BSA which came to an end on 31 March 2020 has been linked to the announced closure of Mopani Copper Mines – MCM.

An energy expert who spoke to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT but asked to have his identity withheld has linked the placing of Mopani Copper Mines – MCM on care and maintenance (which in effect is temporal closure of the Kitwe and Mufulira based mines) to the collapse of negotiations between ZESCO and CEC over BSA, which directly affects the energy costs for Mopani. The cost of power is a key component of the cost structure for an underground mine such as MCM.

Even last time when Mopani closed and sent away its workers, if you remember, it was the time ZESCO increased tariffs across board but the mine rejected the revised tariffs and CEC was forced to initially restrict power supply to the mine but later resumed supply.

On August 11, 2017, CEC then restricted power supply to one of their largest customers, Mopani Copper Mines from 190 megawatts to 94 megawatts officially stating that the mine did not want to pay the revised tariffs. Mopani then went on to state that they would retrench 4,700 workers and locked out the mine.

It had to take the intervention of the head of state, President Lungu who met with Glencore group executives for the mine to reopen. MCM influence on the economy of Kitwe, which is Zambia’s second largest city by population and Mufulira is so pervasive due to high reliance on the copper mine and lack of diversified economic activities.

The BSA which was entered into on 21 November 1997 had come to an end on 31 March 2020. Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa and ZESCO have confirmed to CEC and the nation of their position that the BSA will not be renewed at terms which have been described as ‘not beneficial to the Zambian people’.

On the other hand, CEC has indicated that it could not agree to terms demanded by ZESCO as they would injure the Corporation’s business model and impact it’s ability to continue operating as a going concern.

According to information made available to ZBT by CEC public relations advisor Muntanga Sibalwa on April 8, 2020, the Copperbelt based corporation had in the last seven weeks engaged ZESCO and the Ministry of Energy to put in place an interim agreement but that it became clear during the negotiations that the intension was to agree a wholesomely new deal with totally new terms, hence the two parties could not reach an agreement on account of certain new terms.

When pressed to state which specific terms are behind the bone of contention, CEC could not disclosed the terms imposed by ZESCO and when pressed to get further details on the options for CEC to develop its own power generation plants, Sibalwa was unable to share further information regarding the matter on what is believed to be high sensitivities around the negotiations.

CEC has since pledged to remain committed to continue providing seamless power supply services to all it’s customers (mining and non-mining customers) on the Copperbelt province while the parties continue to seek resolution of the outstanding matters and follow through with conclusion of the negotiation for a new bulk supply agreement.

“In this view, achieving a mutually acceptable bulk supply agreement between the parties remains of strategic importance to the electricity sector and the country. Therefore, CEC remains confident that the parties will use the next several weeks to narrow the negotiation differences gap, culminating into a new power supply agreement”, She added.

The company has also indicated that it will ensure that any agreement it enters into will be negotiated in good faith and reflect a fair outcome so as to ensure that CEC as a business continues to operate sustainably and in the interest of all it’s stakeholders who include shareholders, customers, employees, debt providers and many others.

The Northwestern province based copper mines, the includes Zambia’s largest miner, First Quantum Minerals – FQM’s Kansanshi and Kalumbila Mines, are directly supplied with power by ZESCO and are not affected by the stalled negotiations between ZESCO and CEC.

The Association of Mine Suppliers and Contractor’s issued a press statement on Monday 6 April 2020 accusing MCM of being insincere and using the COVID 19 pandemic and the downward trend in global copper prices as an excuse to exit the mine and Zambia.

The contractors association further stated that MCM has terminated a lot of local contractors jobs and has since moved its procurement office to South Africa, preferring to sub-contract jobs to foreign companies at the expense of local ones.

The Copperbelt Energy Corporation - CEC and

Maamba collieries intensifies COVID – 19 safety measures

Maamba Collieries Ltd (MCL), the largest thermal power producer in Zambia has scaled-up efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, by implementing stringent preventive safety measures.

Maamba Collieries Manager Yotham Phiri said MCL is treating the global pandemic with utmost seriousness, and taking all measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff, while also sensitising the community.

“We are alive to the gravity of the situation and are taking every possible precaution to prevent the COVID-19 infecting our people. Measures we have implemented include daily fumigation of all MCL buildings, equipment and vehicles to minimise contamination, as well as stopping all visitors. Our safety team is working hard to ensure every entry point to the mine and all buildings have sanitising equipment for our staff to use.” He said

And HR and Administration Manager Bwali Ndau highlighted measures to minimise person-to-person contact and ensuring social distancing and personal hygiene have been put in place.

In a statement made available to the Zamvian Business Times – ZBT on April 7, 2020 MCL has advised all employees who had travelled abroad on vacation, not to return to Zambia or if they return, to adhere to strict health guidelines and has stopped non-essential travel within the country, until the situation returns to normal.

MCL interventions against COVID-19 have also extended to the sensitisation of the local community, special sessions for school children on hygiene, helping the community with materials to ensure hygiene, as well as donating a critical care ventilator for treatment of infected personnel.

Meanwhile, in support of the request of the Sinazongwe Council, MCL has donated the much-need materials for the COVID-19 Isolation Site – including N95 masks, disposable overalls, gumboots, gloves as well as hand-washing facilities and personal hygiene items including liquid hand wash soap, detergent and much-needed fuel for vehicles.

Maamba Collieries is a key player in Zambia’s energy sector feeding 300MW into the national grid. Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, MCL has ensured it remains at the forefront in the fight against the deadly virus in the country, through a strong demonstration of commitment to stringent safet

Maamba Collieries Ltd (MCL), the largest thermal

UNZA to re-open on April 14

Following government’s closure of all learning institutions due to the global COVID – 19 pandemic, the University of Zambia – UNZA has resolved to conduct all teaching and learning activities through online and through e-learning platforms.

In this regard, the University has rolled out a fully-fledged online e-learning system for all University programmes using Moodle and Astria platforms. UNZA Registrar Sitali Wamundila confirmed in a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on April 7, 2020 that the e-learning platforms are ready for access by both students and staff.

He added that Staff and Students have since be informed that learning and teaching activities in all programmes and courses will commence on Tuesday, 14 April 2020.

“Students are therefore reminded that only those that are registered will be able to access the e-learning materials and other online services. It must also be noted that registration remains open and students are encouraged to pay their fees,” He added.

UNZA has since encouraged all mobile telecommunication service providers and internet service providers – ISPs to introduce special internet access plans or packages to reduce on costs associated with internet use and ensure universal access to internet for all students and staff.

Wamundila is also encouraging all students to acquaint themselves with the programmes and courses before classes commence on April 14, 2020 adding that all self-taught materials have been uploaded on the plartforms for an easier experience.

Meanwhile, the University was reported to have started carrying out research with the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research – NISIR to find a vaccine or cure for COVID – 19 under the K57 million contingency fund.

According to information obtained by ZBT, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Brian Mushimba disclosed that UNZA in conjunction with NISIR is collecting samples to understand the deadly pandemic and urged other institutions to emulate the gesture.

But when reached for a comment, UNZA researcher in the department of natural sciences Dr. Edgar Simulundu said the University has not yet received instructions or modalities on how the research will be conducted as no group has been selected to take up the study, hence no studies have been initiated or done in relation to COVID – 19.

He added that provided government gives modalities on how the study will be conducted, the institution is ready to collaborate with other institutions to study COVID – 19 with the aim of finding solutions on how to combat the pandemic.

Most learning institutions and schools in Zambia have resigned to fate, waiting for the end of the COVID 19 pandemic to resume classes. But some international schools, private schools and universities have only migrated from physical classrooms to online, avoiding the disruptions to the academic and teaching programs.

With the exception of rural based schools, modern technology offers the ability for switching from face to face to online learning methods seamlessly. But even rural based students and teachers should not be left out, solutions can be found.

Moreover, the Zambian government had embarked on putting up communication towers across the country to ensure universal access to data and internet services and this COVID 19 pandemic perhaps offers a silver lining for the ministries of communication and education to come up with methods to open schools and deliver lessons online.

Following government's closure of all learning institutions

REA to pilot power generation from solar milling plants

The Rural Electrification Authority – REA has announced that plans are underway to pilot the generation of power from the solar milling plants implementations this year as soon as COVID 19 situation stabilizes.

The Authority has partnered with Zambia Corporative Federation – ZCF to build power networks around the solar milling plants in rural areas which have been discovered to produce excess power over and above that which is needed for the current installed milling plants.

REA Corporate Affairs Manager Justine Mukosa told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an exclusive interview on April 06, 2020 that close to 1,600 milling plants under ZCF which use solar for power across the country have been earmarked for this project as the authority is currently doing scoping works and then later start piloting in Chongwe before scaling to all the milling plant sites.

In December 2019, an agreement between REA and ZCF valid for five years was signed were REA was to tap for electricity from the close to 1,600 solar milling plants ZCF had installed which generate up to 15kw of electricity per plant.

The installed milling plants only utilizes 7.5 kw, which therefore leaves 7.5kw unutilized, which translates to about 12 megawatts of unutilized electricity across the country. This agreement will enable REA to tap into this extra power resource to provide electricity to the communities where the solar milling plants are located, which are mostly in rural areas.

When asked how much the entire project will cost, Mukosa could not disclose the exact amount yet stating that the authority will only determine how much the project will cost once piloting begins and is completed this year.

“A lot of our projects are on hold because of the current situation in the country as we have also suspended works to avoid further spread of the virus, therefore once the situation gets back to normal we will resumes our works and suspended projects will begin running “ He added.

Meanwhile, REA is re-affirmed that its completed works at its mini- hydro power  project in Mwinilunga district of North Western Province worth over US$8.6 million under the authority’s grid extension project for rural areas is just awaiting official commissioning.

According to the budget release report for March 2020 from the Ministry of Finance, about K22.5 million was allocated to electricity infrastructure development in rural areas though REA and the authority has confirmed that part of its allocation was used to complete projects such as the above that began in 2018.

Mukosa told ZBT that the mini – hydro project in Mwinilunga district was set to be officially commissioned early this year but this has since been pushed forward to a later date due to the COVID – 19 situation.

The Rural Electrification Authority - REA has