President Hakainde Hichilema has apologised to Zambians for the hardships caused by years of electricity shortages, acknowledging the strain on households, businesses, and public services across the country.
Speaking to the National Assembly in Lusaka, Hichilema described the prolonged outages as a challenging period that offered important lessons for national unity and reflection.
He recognised that many families faced difficulties in daily life, affecting cooking, schooling, healthcare, and economic activity, and emphasised that his administration had taken citizens’ frustrations into account when shaping energy policy.
The President explained that the power challenges stemmed from historical infrastructure limitations and external pressures on generation capacity.
He stressed that improving electricity supply is crucial for economic recovery, investment, industrial growth, and job creation.
Hichilema also thanked citizens for their patience and acknowledged the dedication of energy officials and technical teams during the crisis.
Highlighting the importance of accountability and transparency, Hichilema said that recognising past difficulties is essential for building a stronger governance culture.
He noted that lessons from the electricity shortages would guide future efforts to strengthen infrastructure and prevent a recurrence of severe outages.
The President outlined ongoing initiatives to expand generation capacity, modernise systems, and ensure energy security—key for sectors like manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.
He also called for cooperation between government agencies and communities, stressing that national recovery and development require shared commitment.
Lawmakers from across the political spectrum acknowledged the significance of Hichilema’s apology as a step toward open leadership and improved public service delivery.
He concluded by expressing gratitude to citizens for their resilience and reiterated that his administration remains committed to better planning and stronger infrastructure for future generations.
