By JAMES KUNDA-
THE Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) says it expects Zesco to improve service delivery following an allocation of K600 million towards power generation, transmission and distribution services.
ZACA executive director Samuel Simutunda said in an interview at the weekend that consumers in some parts of the country were still experiencing intermittent power outages which was a deterrent to the smooth flow of business.
“There is a rapid demand for electricity currently due to massive economic activities and it is clear from the allocation towards power generation in the 2015 National Budget that government is alive to this fact, Zesco therefore need to ensure that the projects are implemented promptly to maximise or totally reduce load shedding,” he said.
Mr Simutunda said the power utility could also, during off peak hours, extend electricity supply to neighbouring countries facing a power deficit and earn the country foreign exchange.
Mr Simutunda also described as positive the move by Government to allocate funds towards the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) and the E-Voucher system in the 2015 budget.
Finance minister Alexander Chikwanda announced during the presentation of the 2015 National Budget last Friday that Government would spend K1.1 billion and K254.9 million on the FISP and E-Voucher system in 2015 respectively.
Mr Simutunda said financing the agriculture sector was a way in which the country would remain self sustainable and food secure thereby maintaining its status as a regional food basket.
“Financing the agriculture sector is always a positive move that will enhance productivity of crops to ensure food security. It is also a good way to diversify from mining and this is why market access for crop produce should be made even easier,” he said.
He said the allocation of K164 million towards the construction of dams for irrigation and other incentives to support the aquaculture sector would ensure the country maximised benefits from water endowment.