MUNUNSHI GRID EXTENSION SPURS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN MWANSABOMBWE DISTRICT

Upon reaching Mununshi village ,30 minutes past midnight, during my second visit to  Mwansabombwe District of Luapula province, I noticed that the village was not as dark and as scary as it used to be, during my previous visits some years back.

Although it was late in the night, I could see from a distance, some houses looking lit ,compared to my past visits ,when the village was ill-lighted and the only light one could see was that from the motor vehicles' headlights and cyclists riding at that time of the hour.

Picture for illustration purpose 

Mununshi village which is one of the wards in Mwansabobwe Constituency is situated in valley of Luapula River which is the home of Umutomboko traditional ceremony of the Lunda speaking people. Going by nature of economic activities taking place in the area, the impact of the Rural Electrification  Authority-REA's project dubbed Mununshi Grid Extension Project are too visible and self explanatory for people visiting the area for the first time as one does not need to seek an explanation or even struggle looking for proof to appreciate that the project is bearing fruits in a village where Small and Medium Enterprises-SMEs are thriving due to the coming of electricity in the area. 

In my case ,my second  visit to the area, revealed that some entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the access to electricity to set up some businesses such as welding and barbershops while others are processing maize into mealie meal using a Hammer mill.

A welder making door and window frames 

This is an indication that REA has penetrated the area which was not long ago, not connected to the national electricity grid.

With my enthusiasm to understand more about the impact of the Mununshi Grid Extension Project ,I came across a 46 year old woman Margaret Kabwe whom I asked, how the area has changed/transformed after it was connected to power.

In her response Margaret who has stayed in the area for the past 10 years began by recounting that "turning on the power switch for the first time in her history was such a memorable day. She added that some people of  Mununshi village celebrated the light that beamed through the village for the first time. People had a good reason to celebrate because with electricity in place ,life has become easy .Services that require electricity are easy to access.

This is a story of change ,the story is about the impact of access to electricity ON  the villagers of  Mununshi village. 

Having seen what people are able to do with electricity in comparison with what they never use to do before they were connected to power, am fully convinced that the saying that, "electricity transforms people's lives ,not just economically but also socially," is a living testimony for people of  Mununshi village whose livelihoods have received a huge facelift.

Talking to the locals about the subject matter (access to electricity) brings smiles and joy on their faces as they narrate how excited they are to have electricity at their door step, something they thought was merely a dream that could never happen in their lives. At least years have passed since they were connected to power but memories of their first experience to have this commodity are still fresh. They narrate their story with great enthusiasm.

Today access to electricity has tremendously improved people's livelihoods in the area as they are able to engage in various income generating activities and contributing positively to the country's  economy.

For the avoidance of doubt, this reporter entered the house of Victoria Chanda, who is one of the beneficiaries of the Mununshi Grid Extension Project phase 1 ,2 and three implemented by REA in partnership with ZESCO and while inside, the owner joyfully opened her fridge just to illustrate how she is now able to purchase in bulk perishable food items without any fear that they go bad.

Victoria who wakes up at 6am to prepare breakfast says, access to electricity has reduced her reliance and time spent gathering firewood for cooking in the morning. She adds that  her family  no longer use candle or torch for lighting but bulbs".

She is grateful to REA for considering their area for the electrification process.

Video for illustration purposes 

“Before my house was connected to power, my television set, radio and other electric appliances  (See the video below) were just a white elephant but now my family and I are able to follow news and  current affairs without any difficulties .....When you talk about the use of Information Communication Technology- ICTs my children are no longer left behind ...they are able to use a desktop computer I bought from Lusaka," another beneficiary of  Rural Electrification Authority-REA projects a Mr. Chewe explained.

"Now am able to buy all kinds of relish without any worries and this is helping me to plan and budget in the long run. I also make ice blocks which I sell. This is really helping me," he said

 

Video for illustration purposes 

Like earlier alluded, in the business circles, those with entrepreneurial skills in the area such as tailoring and welding have managed to expand their business by creating employment for others. 

 “My name is Wickliffe Chungu and I live here in Mwachimpunka village of  Mwansabpmbwe district. I want to begin by appreciating and thanking REA for what they are doing [ REA's aim is to increase the electrification rate to 51 percent by 2030 thereby enhancing the living standard and productivity while improving the quality of life for all Zambians]  Before the area was connected to power I just used to do farming, but the coming of electricity has helped me diversify from farming to welding. I make door and window frames which provide me with other sources of income."

"Again before the area was connected to power, I used to repair the bicycles using some hardware tools which do not require the use of electricity but I bought welding and grinding machines after REA gave us power." 

Mr Chungu says he decided to expand his business and he now generates an amount in the range of 300 to 500 Kwacha from his welding business on daily basis, which he feels could have been impossible without access to electricity, hence thanking REA for electrifying the area. 

"I could like to appeal to REA to continue reaching out to rural communities with their services of connecting people to the national grid in order to foster development," he said.

Another resident who is into the tailoring business, Elijah Chewe says unlike in the past him and his colleagues are able to sew 60 school uniforms using electric sewing machines which they never used to use due to lack of electricity. This he said has improved productivity.

Electricity has also transformed the agriculture sector as maize is not only sold in raw form but  processed into mealie meal using hammer mills that have been installed in the area, thereby driving the value-addition agenda that the government has been promoting in various sectors of the economy, especially the agriculture sector. 

"When this area was connected to power by REA I felt motivated to buy a Hammer mill with support from some well-wishers so that I can help alleviate the challenges of people walking long distances to have their maize processed into mealie meal. We service about 48 villages which had no access to power and in a day at least we are able to process 62 by 50-kilogram bags of maize into mealie meal," Frankline Kasakula said

Mr Kasakula has since employed Deamus Kapapa due to an increase in workload. He said during the harvest period they usually knock around 10pm because of the increase in the number of customers.

"Am sure you are able to see how REA through its electrification projects is changing the our lives here.Without electricity I don't think I could have managed even to employ my friend.

See the video below of Mr Kasakula appreciating REA

 

  

According to the 2005 living conditions demographic survey, Zambia's rural electrification for the grid extension stands at 4.4 percent.

But the REA’s aim is to increase the electrification rate to 51 percent by 2030,thereby enhance living standards and productivity while improving the quality of life for all Zambians. 

The authority has been implementing the Grid Extension  Project in partnership with ZESCO Limited dating back to 2016.

Authority Board Chairperson Likonge Mulenga is happy with the stories of challenges on access to electricity obtaining in the area.

Mrs. Mulenga notes with gratitude that the stories of change are self-explanatory and that the evidence of how people are benefiting from electricity access is visible for all to see ,which she said should be the case.

She said REA wants to see people using electricity to the full capacity in order to stir social and economic development.

"The story of how people are benefiting from must be very visible to be seen. Am happy that people are using electricity for economic activities apart from being used for entertainment and lighting their homes. This is encouraging REA  to expand to other areas that are not yet connected to the national grid so there can benefit." she said

Commenting on Mununshi Grid Extension Project Chief Mwata Kazembe the 19th of the Lunda people of Luapula Province thanked REA for its works and called for government support to enable the authority to continue providing services to the masses in the rural setups

The Traditional Leader pointed out that access to electricity is no longer a luxury but a necessity of life to national development.

THE MWATA KAZEMBE 

The Mwata said demand for electricity has over the years increased in the area hence the need for REA to continue rolling out their services to areas that do not have power.

"I understand that the program has been rolled country wide and demand for electricity is so high  but Mwansabombwe  should be considered as priority because civilization started from here.Am there encouraging my people that can you be paying for bills because everything was done free for your,"     the traditional leader said.