Former President Edgar Lungu critiques the UPND government for reducing ZESCO to a state of dysfunction through political interference and managerial purges, resulting in nationwide blackouts that endanger lives and businesses.
Lusaka, Nov. 25 – In a fiery critique of the current administration, former President Edgar Lungu has expressed deep concern over the national power blackout experienced last night, describing it as a “manifestation and clear confirmation” of the state of ruin into which ZESCO, the national utility company, has been plunged under the leadership of the UPND government.
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Mr. Lungu lamented that the once vibrant utility has become a shadow of its former self due to the purging of top managers and competent officers on political grounds after the 2021 general elections. He avoided delving into details, stating, “I will not name [the grounds] because Mr. Hakainde Hichilema will consider them as sedition or hate speech.”
“Now we are paying, as a country, a bitter price for that unwarranted victimisation of competent and professional officers who knew better how to manage that sensitive national asset,” bemoaned Mr. Lungu.
Reflecting on the announcement made by ZESCO on Sunday night, the former President highlighted that the blackout, described as a “power system disturbance” at 20:15 hours, resulted in a nationwide loss of electricity. He did not mince words in holding the government accountable.
“Fellow citizens, look at this incompetency from ZESCO endangering the entire country! Clearly, this is a sheer manifestation of severe mismanagement and gross failure by the outgoing UPND government and its leader, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema,” he declared.
Adding to his concerns, Mr. Lungu pointed out the dire implications of the blackout on critical installations such as hospitals.
“Critical installations such as hospitals were left in darkness across the country last night. We do not know yet how many lives were lost during that period, particularly those patients that were being propelled by life-saving machines. This kind of recklessness and incompetence is unacceptable. We can’t continue risking people’s lives and businesses,” he lamented.
Calling for accountability, the former Head of State accused President Hichilema of sowing the seeds of political interference in ZESCO, which he believes have now grown into a crisis of national proportions. He contrasted the current situation with his administration’s record on load-shedding.
“During our time in government as PF, the longest load-shedding period did not exceed 17 hours. It is this period Mr. Hichilema described as unbearable and campaigned to end once voted into office. Today, under Mr. Hichilema’s watch, most households and businesses are going for more than 48 straight hours and even more in some cases without power supply. Fellow citizens, help me to see which period is unbearable?” he questioned.
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Mr. Lungu concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need for the government to take immediate action to secure reliable power supply for critical sectors.
“Surely, Zambians cannot continue to subject themselves to a leadership that sees no problem in having delicate facilities such as hospitals and others that directly touch on the well-being of our citizens being load-shedded,” he stated, wondering at what cost, in terms of lost lives and businesses, the government would take such matters seriously.
He urged President Hichilema and his government to prioritize securing 24/7 power supply for critical areas, ensuring the protection of lives and businesses.
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