09/05/2024
Letter to President Hakainde Hichilema
The Electricity Crisis:
Modern life crucially depends on electricity. As the population grows, so does the demand for electricity. In this digital age, it is impossible to live without electricity because electricity is required to provide clean water, security, Education, health care, communication, heating and cooling, transportation, etc. Mr. President, continued power outages usually affect small business owners. In the case of extended power cuts, storage of food is affected.
Power outages also affect hospitals. In the absence of electricity, respiratory machines shut down, surgeries are at risk, and hygiene is usually threatened.
The electricity shortage is a threat not only to our economy but also to the safety and health of our people. For example, wastewater treatment may not be effective without electricity so the only solution will be to shut down water treatment plants.
Mr. President, a power crisis should be a national emergency, which needs immediate attention and action. The same attention we gave COVID-19 should be the same attention we should give this problem. Zambia is too old to be experiencing an electricity crisis. Moreover, people have automated devices, and many of them are connected to the internet and need electricity to support their functionality.
Mr. President, life without electricity in the modern world feels distant. Students cannot do their assignments, bloggers, and social media influencers are not making money because their digital devices are not charged.
According to climatologists, Zambia is likely to experience more extreme weather as a result of climate change. In other words, if measures to mitigate this crisis are not put in place, Zambia will be nicknamed the Dark Country. We need to find a solution now and prepare for the challenges ahead. Itβs going be tough but true leaders are seen in the middle of a crisis.