Zambia and Malawi Tuesday commissioned a hydro-power int er-connector in Zambia's rural Chama district, East of the country, an occasion w itnessed by Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa and his Malawian counterpart Bingu w a Mutharika.
The state-run Zambia Daily Mail reported Tuesday that the Zambian would spend about US$ 400,000 on the project.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mwanawasa said the connection of Chama to the Malawi national grid was a manifestation of the true relationship between the two countries.
President Mwanawasa said the electrification of Chama would enable the Zambia Electricity Corporation (ZESCO) save some 200 million Kwachas which would be spent on diesel for the thermo power machines used in servicing the district.
He said regional integration was important in addressing the shortage of energy in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
President Mwanawasa said energy was vital for economic growth, stressing that if the power shortage was not addressed, Zambia's economy and that of the region would be constrained.
Also speaking, President Mutharika said the connection of Chama to Malawi national grid was part of that country's energy policy aimed at helping people in the rural areas.
"Chama is the second district to be connected to the Malawi national grid. Lundazi was connected in 2004 and this shows a fine bilateral relationship between Malawi and Zambia," the mail quoted Mutharika as saying.
He commended the Zambian government for connecting Chama to the system and pledged hiscountry's full support.
According to President Mutharika, Malawi has the capacity to produce an additional 1,500 megawatts of power.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
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