Controversial musician Chama Fumba alias Pilato has lauched a stinging attack on the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), labelling the company “a disgrace” and accusing them of lacking foresight.
The Copperbelt-based artist, 31, used his facebook page to vent his frustration over the crippling power outages that have rocked the country this past week, which the power utility company has blamed on low water levels as a result of poor rainfall.
“Firstly I feel you are a disgrace to this country bane and your conduct is likely to breach peace. Electricity is the most essential element of our lives and the development of any country and you proudly left it to chance,” he wrote.
Pilato – whose resent brush with the authorities over his satirical ‘Alungu Anabwela’ song made headlines at home and abroad – wondered what would happen if the country were to experience a drought in the next rainy season.
“So if the water levels are as low as you’d love us to believe, what will happen if we don’t receive enough rains this year? If you depended so much on high and low water levels for electricity supply you were expected to pay extreme attention to issues of global warming and anything that would affect the water levels. After so many years of operation your CEO and his disciples should have by now planned of how to avoid the problem you are claiming now. In moments like this, I wonder how your CEO introduces himself kubantu… Ati Hi, am the Chief Electricity Outgoer for Zesco, I sit on the board for loadshedding country wide,” he fumed.
“At first you asked us to buy those tuma energy saving bulbs which look like starving worms ati they will help stop loadshedding and we did kanshi Bufi. I hope this time you will not ask the fish to dig wells in the rivers or ask us ukulatuntila amenshi mufimana. With your loadshedding you are indirectly demanding that (1) we cut more trees for charcoal production- but you and I know how this extensive cutting of trees will affect our enviroment even the rains you are praying for.
“(2) Mining and manufacturing companies should reduce operating hours- but you know too well that this country’s economy depends on these sectors to survive so indirectly you are sobataging the economy. The office hours too are now reduced because imwe ba Zesco nabu Zesco bwenu could not plan.
“So imwe guys, the millions you collect every day from us your clients you just pay yourselves and buy bundles for your big phones? Seriously naimwe without shame ati water levels are low… Mmmmmm even when we had a drought many years ago electricity was not our problem. If we are to trust your wisdom, the situation is beyond your control and we have no choice but to sit and hope for rains to come soon and raise the water levels…. I seriously hope it will raise your pride levels too. We are a peaceful people and you ba Zesco should not take that for granted lwenu. Anyway naleka apapene kuti yaya amalaiti,” he concluded.
But in a facebook posting of their own, ZESCO categorically stated that the power situation will only improve if the water levels rise, in the next rainy season that is.
They have since suspended power exports to other parts of the region.
If u recall very well, when Pf can into power in 2011, the most experienced zesco directors. And others (some of whom I know by their names) where fired. And the newly introduced board is inexperienced, hence the loadsheddings.
Direct quote: “At first you asked us to buy those tuma energy saving bulbs which look like starving worms…..and we did kanshi Bufi. I hope this time you will not ask the fish to dig wells in the rivers or ask us ukulatuntila amenshi mufimana…”
Kikikikikikikikiki… Wee mulumendo WANTEKUNYA ichine chine. ICHO CHINTU CHINENACHO.
They will ask you to go and draw water from the Indian Ocean! Because they’ll not want you to draw and dry up the Zambian rivers! Kikikiki…