Engineers regret lack of implementation of energy solutions proposed since 2016, blame politicians

The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) has expressed frustration over government’s failure to implement energy solutions provided as early as 2016, despite the ongoing energy crisis.

According to EIZ Vice President, Chansa Musonda, engineers identified solutions to Zambia’s electricity problems long before the drought exacerbated the situation.

However, successive governments have largely ignored their advice.

Speaking at the ongoing 96th Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka, themed “Creating a Competitive Future,” Musonda highlighted the lack of action on a comprehensive paper by Professor Francis Yamba in 2016 that addressed all energy issues.

“A paper by Professor Francis Yamba in 2016, which addressed all the problems, was ignored and there has never been implementation of the proposed solutions,” Musonda said.

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He said there was need for collaboration with politicians to ensure that proposed solutions are not discarded, stressing that proper work required adequate planning.

Musonda noted the difficulty in responding to the crisis now that Zambia was deeply affected.

He pointed out that immediate short-term measures are necessary to mitigate the current energy crisis.

“After implementing short-term measures, there is a need to review and identify where the nation missed the plan because it has been in place since 2016,” Musonda added.

He stressed the importance of working together with politicians to ensure the prescribed solutions are not ignored, as effective energy solutions required careful and sustained planning.

Musonda concluded by highlighting the ongoing challenges, urging the government to take immediate action to address the energy crisis and consider the long-term solutions that have been recommended by engineers for years.

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