K300 electricity connection fee elates citizens PF Kapete Ward Councilor Francis W. Kabichi
Francis W Kabichi (left) with Simon Banda (right) at Yanga Organic Farm (YOF), Shiloto Village, Chongwe District of Lusaka Province, Zambia
By Derrick Sinjela and Hellen Bwalya
Patriotic Front (PF) Kapete Ward Councilor Francis W. Kabichi is showering praise on President Hakainde Hichilema for taking development to all the 10 provinces of Zambia; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, and Western.
Mr. Kabichi is delighted that the United Party for National Development (UPND) New Dawn Administration led by Mr. Hichilema is exhibiting inclusivity in its development agenda as all 10 provinces, 116 districts, 156 constituencies, and 1,858 wards in Zambia are now receiving equal attention.
Following the controversial Bill 7 of 2025, which resulted in Article 13 being enactment, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) is set to increase wards and constituencies before the Thursday, 13th August 2026 Tripartite Elections.
The Office of the Surveyor General (OSG) is responsible for national, provincial, and district boundaries, alongside the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH), while the ECZ is responsible for mapping wards and constituencies countrywide.
On Saturday, 23rd December, 2023, Kabichi praised Dr. Hichilema through then Minister of Energy Mr. Peter Chibwe Kapala for supervising the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Chongwe Kapete Grid Development Project, which is nearing completion.
A UPND Luampa Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Makozo Chikote is now serving as Energy Minister, with Kapala manning the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
“As a representative of the people, I am happy that through the REA 2023 workplan and budget, construction of a 4.7 kilometres (km) 11 kilowatts overhead line and 5.9km of 400 kv overhead line supplying electricity to Kapete Primary and Bunda Bunda Secondary Schools, Kapete Rural Health Centre (RHC), Shiyala Primary Schools, Bunda Bunda Primary School, Hope Mpango and the surrounding community is boosting agricultural productivity and general livelihood in Kapete Ward,” a delightful Kabichi told the author in Shiloto Village.
The Chongwe Kapete Grid Development Project set for commissioning at the end of January 2024 is estimated cost of K5.2 million and is at 70 % completion point.
Finally, households in Kapete Ward, Chongwe Constituency of Lusaka Province are elated with a vow by REA to connect them to the national grid at an affordable K300 fee.
Said a glad PF Kapete Ward Councilor Francis W. Kabichi in December 2025: “The ongoing Electricity Subsidy Programme. We are rejoicing following the government’s announcement of a K300 Kwacha electricity subsidy programme. This initiative aimed at increasing access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas is set to benefit thousands of households and businesses in our community. Under this programme, households and businesses will pay a subsidized K300 connection down from imagine from K4,800 to K300 Kwacha. This reduction enables more residents to access electricity thereby improving their quality of life and economic prospects. The benefits of this programme are multifaceted; for households, electricity brings lights and improves overall security in homes while for businesses, electricity boosts productivity and enables the use of modern equipment thus increasing competition. Communities will appreciate government efforts to improve their livelihood and attract investors, thus boosting economic growth and creating employment opportunities in Chongwe District.
However, people must protect this electricity infrastructure set up by REA and report any cases of vandalism to law authorities. We shall not condone anyone wanting as a brighter future brought by the government of Zambia, led by Dr. Hichilema. As people look ahead to better livelihood, REA must increase awareness on how to access benefits and requirements. I am happy that five (5) schools and clinics in Kapete Ward will be connected to the National grid improve the quality of life through enhanced learning and medical services”.
However, a resident, Emmanuel Mubita regretted that only the head teachers office has been electrified at Bundabunda Primary School.
“My worry is on the people of Bundabunda Primary School area. You will discover that, the electricity is only in the office of the headteacher.
Bundabunda community is big and for it to have only a single classroom with electricity is quiet sad. It will be good if follow-ups are made,” prayed Mubita, as he showered praise on Chongwe Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Ms. Sylvia Tembo-Masebo, currently serving as Lands and Natural Resources Minister.
Overall, Mubita showered praise on Dr. Hichilema.
Chongwe is a constituency of the National Assembly of Zambia.
It covers the town of Chongwe in Chongwe District of Lusaka Province.
Since its establishment in 1983, five Members of Parliament (MPs); two women and three men
from four political parties have occupied this portfolio in Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II (Elizabeth Mulenje) is the chieftainship of the Soli people of Chongwe District in Lusaka Province.
At its formation in1983 United National Independence Party (UNIP) candidate Elizabeth Mulenje (Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II) served two terms in 1983 and 1988.
Upon Zambia’s return to plural politics Gibson Nkausu of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) served two terms in 1991 and 1996.
The incumbent, Ms. Sylvia Tembo-Masebo served as MP on four different political party tickets In 2001 (Zambia Republican Party – ZRP),
2006 (MMD), 2011 (by-election Patriotic Front) and since 2021 to date as a United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentarian.
Japhen Mwakalombe served two in 2011 on the MMD ticket and 2016 as a Patriotic Front representative.
In 2025, Zambia’s population was estimated at 21,913,874 people at mid-year, with 313,389 people reside in Chongwe District (Chongwe Constituency) an area divided into Chongwe Constituency in Zambia has 21 wards, Chongwe Central
Kapete, Chalimbana, Lwimba, Palabana, Njolwe, Kapyabale/Kapwayambale, Tambalale, Chainda, Madido, Gwerere/Ngwerere, Chinkuli, Kanakatanpa, Kasenga,Kasisi, Katoba, Manyika
Mulenje, Mwalumina, Nakatindi, Nchunte/Nchute and Ntandabale. – Kwacha Magazine Zambia/ Kwilanzi Newspaper Zambia (KNZ)/Today Newspaper Zambia (TNZ)/Zambian Children Young People and Women in Development (ZCYPWD).
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