By Staff Writer
In a stark criticism of President Hichilema’s administration, concerns have been raised about the government’s decision to continue selling power to neighboring countries amidst severe domestic hardships. According to President Hichilema’s own pronouncement, 6 million Zambians will face hunger this year due to the ongoing drought.
This crisis is exacerbated by a 16-hour load-shedding schedule, a record rise in the cost of living and doing business, and alarmingly high poverty levels. In a country where over 5 million adults are unemployed, the economic situation is dire. The cost of a bag of mealie meal has surged from K140 in 2021 to over K380 in just under three years. Small and medium-sized local businesses are struggling, facing low sales and closures.
Given these circumstances, the decision by President Hichilema and his government to continue exporting power, as stated by the Minister of Energy in Parliament, is perplexing and has drawn heavy criticism. Critics argue that every megawatt of power should be prioritized for domestic use to bolster production in both the formal and informal sectors.
This decision reflects a similar attitude displayed by the President and his Minister of Agriculture when they were warned against selling strategic maize reserves to neighboring countries. Continued power exports, critics claim, will only exacerbate the suffering of ordinary Zambians, further crippling the local economy.
In light of these challenges, there is a growing call for President Hichilema to terminate existing foreign power purchase agreements (PPAs) under the grounds of force majeure and redirect the energy supply to support the local economy. The administration is urged to prioritize the well-being of its citizens over foreign interests and transactions. As Silavwe Jackson, President of the GPZ, poignantly stated, “No amount of dollars is worth our people’s hunger and suffering.”
The Zambian government must act swiftly to address these pressing issues and demonstrate true leadership by putting the needs of its people first.
