Kasiya Ward to Receive K1 Million for Rural Electrification Project

The government has approved a K1 million rural electrification project for Kasiya Ward in Livingstone, marking a significant step in addressing the area's decades-long power shortage.

The project, to be funded through the 2025 Constituency Development Fund (CDF), aims to bring electricity to a community that has been without power since Zambia's independence in 1964.

The government has recently released K4 billion for the Constituency Development Fund and Cash for Work programmes, demonstrating increased commitment to local development under President Hakainde Hichilema's administration.

Kasiya Ward Councillor Sydney Mwamba described the electrification as "a significant milestone" for the farming community. Speaking to the press, he highlighted the transformative potential of the project.

"Kasiya Ward is a rural ward, and most people depend on farming so it's really going to be a relief, in terms of irrigation," Mr Mwamba said. "At least most of the farmers will have power to get their crops."

The councillor emphasised that the lack of electricity has hindered multiple sectors in the ward. Schools equipped with computers cannot teach IT subjects effectively, while local clinics struggle to store essential medicines without refrigeration.

"We have schools in my ward that are obviously running IT subjects, but because of lack of electricity, those computers are just dummies," he explained. "We have clinics in the ward that have a challenge when it comes to storing drugs. They've been on my case asking how best we can assist them to be able to power their fridges."

The project aligns with President Hichilema's ambitious goal to generate an additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity and expand access to 66% of Zambians by 2030. The administration has signed memoranda of understanding with local authorities across 152 areas to support electricity projects through CDF funding.

CDF utilisation has improved dramatically under the current government, rising from just 19% in 2022 to 86.1% in 2024, indicating more effective implementation of development projects.

Rural electrification remains a priority for the UPND government, with K65 million allocated for rural electrification projects in North Western Province earlier this year. The initiatives are expected to boost agricultural productivity, improve healthcare delivery, and enhance educational opportunities in previously underserved areas.

For Kasiya Ward's farming community, the electrification project represents more than just access to power, it offers the promise of modernised agriculture through electric irrigation systems, better healthcare through properly functioning clinics, and improved education through functional computer laboratories.

The project is expected to commence implementation following the recent CDF disbursements, bringing light to a community that has waited six decades for this essential service.