By JOHN SAKALA
Chililabombwe Deputy Mayor Gift Musukwa has castigated Ministry of Energy and Zesco for failing to reason to prioritise supply of power to health institutions and water intake points.
Reacting to President Edgar Lungu’s speech to Parliament today on his Facebook Profile, Mr Musukwa said both Ministry of Energy and Zesco could not have waited for the President to issue a directive for them to do what was right.
President Lungu in his speech directed Ministry of Energy to prioritize energy supply of electricity to water utilities and health institutions.
“Honestly speaking do you need the head of state to give directive over such things? It’s just common knowledge that clinics and hospitals shouldn’t be experiencing load shedding, equally water intake points which can lead to water disease out breaks in effect to insufficient water.
“Leadership at every level should inculcate its responsibility to deliver effectively to the people, not to wait for those above them to give direction when it’s their duty. Sadly we fail to do what we are supposed to and later blame everything on the head of state,” he said.
The President said he was aware of some health facilities that go without power for long period of time.
He wondered how health workers were looking after the patients without water and electricity which are both extremely important and a human necessity within management of patients.
“In view of this, I’m directing the Ministry of Energy from midnight today September 13, 2019, to prioritize power supply to hospitals and health centres. Further, the Ministry should prioritize energy supply to water operations.
“This is a very serious matter that should not be taken lightly. The inability to have adequate water can lead to outbreaks,” he said.
President Lungu was officially opening the fourth session of the Twelfth National Assembly under the theme, ‘Accelerating sustainable development for a better Zambia amidst the impact of climate change.’
