Zesco ready to power AfCON

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 11:47:42 +0000

ZESCO has reserved 28,000 litres of diesel to service the generators at the two stadia hosting the 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in case of an interruption in the normal power supply.

And the power utility company has sternly warned vandals with intentions to embarrass Zesco that they will face the wrath of the law.

Zesco spokesperson Henry Kapata in an interview said the company was ready to provide power throughout the competition which will run from tomorrow to March 12.

Kapata said Zesco has three alternatives of supplying power at the Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola and Lusaka’s National Heroes stadia.

“We have serviced the generators at both Levy Mwanawasa and National Heroes stadiums and put 14,000 litres of diesel for each on standby. This means we have three alternatives of supplying power which is normal, standby and generator this is so because we are part and parcel of this tournament,” he said.

He said Zesco will put in the best to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Kapata urged other stakeholders to also play their role to ensure the hosting of the event was a success.

“The tournament is not for FAZ alone but for every Zambian. Government departments and other stakeholders should play their role. I advise the FAZ to be orderly and not tamper with power facilities.

‘‘But Zesco is warning would-be individuals that intend to interrupt power just to embarrass us not that we have received any rumours but in case there are such individuals, they will be received by the Zesco and State police. So let’s guard this event jealously and avoid any embarrassment for our country,” he said. Kapata has disclosed that Zesco will not load shed their customers to enable them enjoy the tournament in the comfort of their homes.

Seven games of the tournament will be played under floodlights. Group A has hosts Zambia, Mali, Egypt and Guinea while Group B has South Africa, Cameroun, Sudan and Senegal.