Residents in the resort town of Kariba on Monday arm-twisted Parliament portfolio committee on Energy so that they can be spared from the electricity national load shedding schedule claiming the town only uses 7 megawatts of power.
This follows the visit by the committee to assess the water levels in one of the country source of electricity, Kariba.
Kariba Incorporated Area Residents Ratepayers Association (KIARRA) executive chairperson Sam Mawawo met the Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development chaired by Hon Gabbuzza MP for Binga. The other members include Simba Mudarikwa of Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Hon Mariam Chombo of Zvimba West and 18 other MPs. Mawawa confirmed that the meeting went on well with committee members.
He said, “I am happy that my presentation to them through your contributions was sweet and powerful to the committee that they are taking those issues to the responsible Minister and that we expect positive results for Kariba soon.”
Residents in the resort town have urged that Kariba town should be spared from load shedding. Since 1960 Lake Kariba water levels drastically decreased in a move that is likely to affect power generation.
“Kariba uses 7 megawatts out of the 380 megawatts generated at the Power Stations.
It was also presented that the town’s fish industry requires uninterrupted cold chain and with load shedding it doesn’t add value. T “With such small population it doesn’t make any difference for the national grid even if it is switched off daily.
No industry
Mawawo told the committee that there are no heavy industries in the resort town that warrant load shedding.
“There are no industrial actions except the power plant itself but it taps out power seperately. We can’t leave without electricity generated locally,” he added.
On a lighter note Mawawo had to present chilling accounst of Zimbabwe Power Company workers who are living in an ironic way due to continuous power cuts currently ongoing nationally.
“Logically it doesn’t make sense for workers in the industry. He can’t be on night shift generating electricity from underground yet there is darkness at his house. This is unacceptable.”
However, the committee did not give a response but said they will engage the minister responsible so that the town may be spared from load shedding. Zimbabwe is facing acute electricity challenges due to low water levels in Kariba as well as outstanding debt to Eskom of South Africa.
