Markham Challenges Energy Minister To Release Load Shedding Schedule
By Lynette Manzini
Harare North Legislator Rusty Markham challenged the Energy and Power Development Minster to release an equitable load shedding schedule.
The demand comes at a time the country is experiencing one of the worst episodes of power outages as a result of problems experienced at the Kariba and Hwange power stations which have affected both industry and domestic consumers. However, not all areas experience load shedding.
During the question and answer session in parliament, last Wednesday Hon Markham highlighted that the current load shedding was not following a schedule as some areas went hours on end without electricity and others were not experiencing load shedding at all.
“My question is very simple; we should have a load shedding schedule that is equal and equitable to everybody. Some people are getting 12-hour power cuts, some 18 hours, and some nothing.
” Can the Minister not organise a load shedding schedule?”, asked Markham.
In response, Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda explained that while the schedule could be produced his ministry was concentrating on bringing back the units onto the grid.
“There are some works that are being carried out to ensure that some of the units that went out are restored back onto the grid. Until that time when ZESA would have failed to bring back those units, that is when we can issue a load shedding schedule”, Soda said.
In addition, Honourable Gonese demanded the minister to explain in the ministerial statement the extent to which the load shedding was fair in areas such as Sakubva.
“From the people whom we represent, I am looking at areas like Sakubva and other high-density suburbs; it looks like the load shedding is skewed against the poor. So, if the Honourable Minister in his Ministerial Statement could clearly indicate whether there is fairness in terms of the load shedding or not”, Gonese said.
Markham Challenges Energy Minister To Release Load Shedding Schedule
