ZAMBIA, DRC HYDRO-POWER TALKS STALL

By SILUMESI MALUMOTHE talks between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the construction of 1,000 megawatts power plant on Luapula River have stalled.Energy Matthew Nkhuwa, however, said Government would ensure that the construction of the power plant was actualised.He said in an interview yesterday that the Zambian Government was yet to establish with the neighbouring country when the talks would continue.The minister explained that once that country appointed Minister of Energy, he would ensure that the talks between the two countries resume.Mr Nkhuwa said after that country held the elections and a new administration was ushered into government, a Minister in charge of energy had still not been appointed.“What I can say for now is that we do not know who the minister of energy is. So we will wait until that time when the minister of energy is appointed then the talks will start,” Mr Nkhuwa said.He said Government would continue engaging DRC government in order for the project to be actualised.Mr Nkhuwa said the project was very important because it would ensure that the power deficit was eradicated.Recently President Edgar Lungu announced that Zambia Government and DRC were holding talks to construct the 1,000 megawatts power plant.He said this would be a huge milestone for his administration as it would able to address electricity challenges.