…..described the situation as “unacceptable”
By TROY MUKUPA
Charles Kabwita, the 2026 Kitwe Mayor aspiring candidate and member of the Patriotic Front, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the ongoing diesel shortage and prolonged load shedding in Zambia. Kabwita’s remarks come in response to Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo’s assurance that normal diesel supply is expected to resume within 48 hours.
According to Kabwita, the diesel shortage is having a devastating impact on the economy, with businesses struggling to stay afloat and ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of poor government policy. Kabwita described the situation as “unacceptable” and emphasized that the government’s promise to resolve the issue within 48 hours is insufficient, given the already dire situation.
“Diesel is the lifeblood of our economy,” Kabwita stressed. “Without it, transport costs rise, food prices increase, and businesses struggle. Any government that fails to guarantee affordable and available diesel is suffocating commerce and undermining the people’s welfare.” Kabwita’s criticism is aimed at the government’s perceived lack of preparedness and ineffective management of the diesel shortage.
The prolonged load shedding crisis has also drawn Kabwita’s attention, with SMEs and households enduring power outages for hours on end. “Surviving on as little as 5 hours of electricity a day has crippled businesses, stalled productivity, and forced many entrepreneurs to close shop,” he lamented. Kabwita called on the government to prioritize the needs of Zambian households and industries over electricity exports.
“The UPND government must stop prioritizing electricity exports over its own citizens,” Kabwita emphasized. “Power generated in Zambia should first serve Zambian households and industries before benefiting neighboring countries. Reliable electricity is not a privilege, it is the backbone of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. Without it, talk of economic transformation is meaningless.”
