Joint deal lights up Kanyemba

Fungai Lupande

Mash Central Bureau

The electrification of Kanyemba in Mbire has started and the Government is finalising payment of US$260 000 to the Zambian Government for the importation of electricity and construction of a power line from across the border in Luangwa.

The electricity will light up Kanyemba town which is being constructed at the border with Zambia and Mozambique, at the confluence of Zambezi and Luangwa rivers, upstream of Cahora Bassa Dam.

The town will become the nerve centre for industry, commerce and trade between Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Rural Electrification Agency (REA) public relations and marketing executive Mr Johannes Nyamayedenga said they were constructing a total of 30,5km of High Voltage (HV) lines and 3,1km of Medium Voltage (MV) lines.

“ZETDC has mobilised US$260 000 which is required for the construction of the power line from Luangwa in Zambia to Kanyemba in Zimbabwe and is now in the process of remitting the money to ZESCO of Zambia,” he said.

“The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) is constructing a total of 30,5km of high voltage (HV) lines and 3,1 km of medium voltage (MV) lines to provide power to all existing settlements at Kanyemba, including all Government offices, base stations and lodges.

“The network will also be extended to all rural public institutions in the Kanyemba area namely Chapoto Clinic, Chapoto Primary and Secondary schools and the business centre, as well as Mariga Clinic. To date, 8,72km of HV lines and 0,88km of MV lines have been completed.”

Mr Nyamayedenga said Mbire was one of the districts in the country where the Rural Energy Master Plan recommended the deployment of solar energy technology as a source of energy for rural communities.

“In line with this recommendation, REF will install solar systems at a number of rural public institutions in Mbire including Angwa Primary and Secondary schools, Mupedzapasi Primary School and Chatima Primary School,” he said.

“Many rural households and other rural public institutions and centres in Mbire District will also benefit from solar technology under the rural electrification programme.”

Although not much infrastructural development has taken place yet, Kanyemba is considered one of the oldest towns in Zimbabwe and one of the oldest trading centres.

The area provided the shortest route into Central Africa and cut the distance from South Africa to Zambia by 650km.

The road leading to the Kanyemba border is being tarred, a move that will result in the cutting of distance as motorists, both private and commercial prefer the shorter route.

A greenbelt is envisaged to be established in Kanyemba using water from the Zambezi River.