. Mabumba

By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
DELAYS in getting title deed and pending finalisation of purchase agreements have affected progress at the Kabompo Hydro Power Project in North-Western Province being developed by the Copperbelt Corporation (CEC).
However, Energy Minister David Mabumba has assured that all the issues surrounding the Kabompo project will be ironed out soon.
CEC managing director Owen Silavwe said lack of title to the land hosting the power project and unresolved finalisation of various agreements were affecting progress of  the power project which would give the country 40 megawatts.
“We are yet to finalise with issues of agreements and title to allow us secure project funding, otherwise we are committed to see it
progress,” Mr Silavwe said.
He said the company had so far spent substantial amounts on preliminary works but that a full financing package could be secured when the land is on title.
Mr Silavwe said the application was still pending at the Ministry of Lands and that the Government and Zesco Limited have been engaged on the matter.
“We have engaged Zesco, the discussion is ongoing and progress has been made, so we look to 2017 to finalise all the pending issues to start the project,” he said in an interview in Kitwe.
Mr Mabumba said the Government was committed to see CEC project process and that all the outstanding issues would soon be resolved.
“We need that 40 MW, we are ready to support CEC complete the project, we shall sit down with them so that the project takes off,” he said.