HOMES LIGHT UP, PHONES ON IN MILENGE: K7.2million REA power project boosting business in Luapula district

FOR Vitus Kaluba, if the smile was not on his face, it was definitely in his pocket or his mobile money wallet.

Yes, and it is because Vitus, who is in his late 20s, is among the over 11, 000 people in Lwela area of Milenge district that are benefiting from the electricity that has been brought to their community by the Rural Electrification Authority (REA).

Lwela is situated about 76 kilometres from Mansa in Luapula Province.

Under the 2018 work plan and budget, the Government through the REA implemented the Lwela-Milambo grid extension project in Chembe and Milenge districts.

The project achieved a total of 83 initial service connections to private households and public infrastructure that include 12 schools, four clinics, a court, the chief’s palace and 20 private enterprises.

The contract was awarded on partial labour basis to Yengatech Limited at a total cost of K7.2 million.

The project was completed in June 2021. And with power now in the area, Vitus was among those that were quick to sniff out a business opportunity from the development.

He opened a barbershop within the market, and he is cashing in big.

“On a good day, I can make as much as K200,” he says. Apart from barbing, he also charges people’s phones at a fee. “For me, it is about making money from every little opportunity I get because I also pay for this electricity.”

He explains that before this, he and other residents of this community, used to rely on a solar powered barbershop for haircuts and also charging phones.

“But that was not reliable,” he says. “There were instances where the sun would not come out and the battery would not have charged enough. So, in that instance, you just pray that you are not in a hurry for a haircut because you won’t get any if you were.”

Vitus, who, at the time of the interview had a client and a cold bottle of super shake, a beverage - albeit bought from the shop next door, is grateful to Government for connecting electricity to his community. He says it has in a way, brought civilisation to the area.

“These are luxuries we just used to see in towns. But at least we have it here and we are happy because it somehow gives a chance for equalisation in a way,” he says. “With the money I am saving, I hope to buy more trimmers and some salon equipment to cater for women.”

A quick walk around the compound within the vicinity of Lwela secondary school, one is able to notice a lot of economic activities.

Take Febby Chibwe for instance. She too, just like Vitus is putting to good use the electricity that has been brought to Lwela.

On the veranda of her house, Ms Chibwe was found with a client, Catherine Chibale. Ms Chibale had come have her hair blown.

She decided to open her salon business in order to supplement her husband’s efforts in providing for the family.

“I just recently started doing this, but believe me when I say that it has been nothing but very good and helpful to me and my family,” she says. “From the little money I raise, I can buy relish and other small things for the house. I have also been able to buy a few things for my school-going children.”

Asked how it was like, before electricity was installed, Ms Chibale adds: “If you couldn’t go to Mansa for this, one had to use a large folk-like homemade hair straightener.”

“But things are now better. A lot of people are finding this electricity to be very convenient and beneficial. I am sure you have seen for yourself at the market,” adds Ms Chibwe.

For the schools in the area, the benefits have surely trickled down to them too, as explained by Lwela Primary School head teacher Patson Mbewe.

He says the performance of pupils in his zone has improved following the connection of electricity to some schools. Government has in the recent past intensified Information Communication Technology (ICT) education in schools.

This has seen a number of schools, including those in rural areas, such as Lwela Primary School, to receive computers to aid ICT lessons.

“However, there are some schools that are still yet to be connected despite receiving ICT equipment from the ministry. The equipment is just sitting idle. We ask that those schools can be connected too,” says Mr Mbewe.

He adds: “Otherwise, because of the electricity, the zone (Lwela) has been performing well due to increased study times.”

Jonathan Kalimbwe is Lwela Mission Rural Health Centre nurse in charge. He says the coming of electricity to the area has improved health service delivery. He says electricity has come as a cost-saving measure, especially to Government.

“We have lifesaving equipment that we never used to utilise because of electricity. The nearest referral facility is in Mansa which is over 70 kilometres away. This has helped us very much to the extent that we shall soon operationalise the theatre to attend to some complicated cases,” he says.

Following the success stories – both heard and seen, residents whose houses are still yet to be connected are calling on the REA to expedite the process of putting power to their houses.

“We have seen in other areas how the REA has connected power to houses that are grass thatched. We want them to extend that gesture to us here,” says a man only identified as Spencer.

According to the REA chief executive officer, Linus Chanda that is not a problem, provided wiring has already been done.

“We have to go back and see who we left out and why. But the bottom line is that we need to make sure that when we go somewhere, we leave a mark. We make sure that everybody who should be included is captured accordingly. We are going everywhere across Zambia, that’s our mandate. As long as it’s a rural area, we will go,” he says.

The project has 13 transformers in total and the connection of clients is ongoing, under the jurisdiction of Zesco at a subsidised fees.

Likonge Mulenga is the new REA board chairperson. She recently toured the grid and much as she was impressed with the progress and economic activity surrounding it, she was left concerned at the continued cutting down of trees despite electricity having been connected to the area.

“When you bring electricity, the usage is diverse and when you see that the people you brought electricity for are not using it to the fullest, you get disappointed and it begins to give you questions,” she says.

For those who may still remember their social studies in primary school, Luapula Province is where the Chitemene farming system is widely used.

It is hoped that the project which has brought about social and economic benefits will stop the unsustainable harvesting of trees for farming and cooking too.