(DAILY MAIL) Levy, Pohamba switch on power

Levy, Pohamba switch on power
From NDUBI MVULA and WALLEN SIMWAKA in Katima Mulilo, Namibia

ZAMBIA and Namibia yesterday commissioned the 220 Kilo Volts power sub-station worth US$17 million with the two countries’ Presidents respectively calling for an increase in electricity development in the region to mitigate the current power deficit.

President Mwanawasa and his Namibian counterpart, Hefikepunye Pohamba, said infrastructure development in hydro-power was among the cardinal means of improving the living standards of the people of the two countries and the sub-region at large.

The two Presidents were speaking at the Katima Mulilo Stadium in Namibia after commissioning the Victoria Falls/Katima Mulilo Transmission Line.

Dr Mwanawasa described the commissioning of the power sub-station as an achievement for the two countries as far as infrastructure development was concerned.
He said the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) members should increase investment in power development.

The commissioning of the sub-station is expected to enhance the provision of the broadband facilities, which would subsequently improve telecommunication between the two countries.

Dr Mwanawasa said bilateral relations between Zambia and Namibia should be strengthened for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

“The commissioning of the 220KV line is an indication of the commitment of the two countries in improving the infrastructure in the energy sector.

The region has in the recent past been experiencing a power deficit and the challenge is that we should endeavour to improve the infrastructure. This could be a sure way of improving the living standards of our people,” he said.

And Mr Pohamba said power was a catalyst for socio-economic development and that electricity supply would enable the two countries to improve the living conditions of their people as well as attain the Millennium Development Goals.

“Currently, the SADC region is facing a critical power shortage due to inadequate power generation capacity. According to experts, this situation may persist until the year 2010,” he said.

Mr Pohamba said his government fully endorsed measures to fast track all short-term power projects in the region.

He cited the refurbishing of existing power stations to address the electricity demand in the two countries.

Mr Pohamba said economic development in the SADC region and the rest of Africa would mainly depend on reliable power supply.

“It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to develop both the required human resources and harness our natural endowments to ensure that our region and the whole continent of Africa do not remain behind in terms of scientific and technological developments in the field of power generation,” he said.

Mr Pohamba expressed confidence that with the prevailing peace and stability in southern Africa, the full benefits of the projects that were being implemented in the region and those to be implemented in the future would be realised.