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Harare Bureau
THE National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved the $319,5 million loan facility from China Export and Import Bank for the expansion of Kariba South hydro power expansion project.Steering the motion, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Government prioritised reducing power deficit in the country and saw it wise to sign the agreement given its concessionary terms.
Minister Chinamasa signed the deal on behalf of the government in November last year.
“One of our priority issues is to fill the gap in energy and it is in this regard that I am taking the opportunity to table for approval by this august House the loan agreement to do the Kariba South extension,” he said.
Legislators from Zanu-PF and MDC-T supported the motion. Former Finance Minister and MDC-T legislator for Harare East, Mr Tendai Biti, said his party supported the agreement since it would go a long way in addressing power deficit.
He said there was need for government to pursue sourcing funds for other power generation stations. He said it was important for the executive to respect Parliament by bringing protocols or loan agreements before they are signed so that the House may play its oversight role.
Makoni South MP, Cde Mandi Chimene, hailed President Mugabe for having foresight when he spearheaded the Look East Policy saying it was now bearing fruit.
Bikita West Independent legislator, Dr Munyaradzi Kereke, said the loan agreement terms were the best the country could ever get.
MDC-T MP for Mabvuku-Tafara, Mr James Maridadi, said it was necessary for the government to also invest in the national grid and the transmission network.
Kariba MP, Cde Isaac Mackenzie, said the Kariba South expansion project was supposed to benefit the local community in terms of job creation.
Online Reporter