Government has paid US$10 million to South African power
utility, Eskom, and paid off $20 million to Zesa Holdings to clear its debt.
Zesa Holdings is also expected to get an advance of $20
million from Government, in a move expected to improve power generation.
This was said by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa in Harare yesterday while addressing
journalists on decisions reached during
Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
“Cabinet was advised by the Minister of Energy and Power
Development that Treasury has now fully paid off Government’s debt obligation
to Zesa, which was around RTGS$20 million.
“A further RTGS$20 million is due to be advanced to Zesa by
Treasury, in order to boost power generation by the utility. This, together
with the payment of US$10 million to Eskom, should help alleviate the current
power supply situation,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Responding to journalists, Energy and Power Development
Minister Fortune Chasi said the money will go a long way in power generation to
ease deficit.
“We will hold discussions to ensure that the money is
applied on areas of generation, part of which is production of coal which is
key to generation of thermal (energy). So that is significant, we are expecting
another RTGS$20 million, we already have a plan on its utilisation. We need a
plan for power in Zimbabwe, a plan that recognises we have a deficit,” said
Minister Chasi.
He said the ministry’s long-term plan was to export upon
generating excess power.
He commended the Government for clearing its debt, saying
it had led by example.
“We need to address load-shedding which is also causing
hardships to the public. I am not at the moment able to say specifically what
we are going to get from Eskom. We are engaged with them, we have made a
significant payment; we should get some relief from that quarter.
“If we are able to get the 400MW, that would be good. It
will deal with the cycle of consumption that we experience everyday that has
occasioned load-shedding,” said Minister Chasi.
“We are coming up with a programme to install meters, so
that we manage our consumption. We are also looking at efforts to disengage as
many as possible of our consumers from the grid during the day which means we
really have to look at the issue of solar in a direct way.”
He implored Zesa consumers to pay their debts. “It is very easy to criticise Zesa but what does it mean
when there is a bill of $1,2 billion on power utility which is at the nerve
centre of our economy?” he said.
He said Kariba Dam level was now at 28 percent. Turning to Zesa management, Minister Chasi said there was
need for proper governance at the power utility.
“Zesa must be properly governed and we are working on that.
We need proper management by people who appreciate the work that they are
involved in.
“My position is clear. If you are complicity in conduct
that causes loss or damage to Zesa or people of Zimbabwe in general you must
answer for it.
“We have just completed studying the forensic report and
anyone who has a case must answer and anyone who must leave Zesa must do so. We
want people with the national interest at heart,” said Minister Chasi. Herald
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