By 
Authorities in Luapula Province have issued a stern warning to the contractor undertaking the electrification of the Green 2000 Farm in Kawambwa District, citing serious project delays, safety violations, and environmental non-compliance.
The action, led by Luapula Province Minister Nason Musonda, came during an unannounced inspection of the site on Saturday, May 24, 2025—less than six weeks ahead of the presidential deadline for project completion.
The inspection follows a directive issued by President Hakainde Hichilema on May 2, 2025, during his visit to the farm in Pambashe Constituency.
The President had instructed that the electrification project be completed by the end of June, underscoring its strategic importance to national food security.
“Materials are already on-site, yet the pace of work is too slow. At this rate, we risk taking two months instead of one, and that is simply unacceptable,” Musonda said during the inspection.
He was accompanied by Provincial Permanent Secretary Prudence Chinama, Pambashe Member of Parliament Justin Kapema, Kawambwa Council Chairperson Titus Mumba, and other officials.
The Minister was particularly alarmed to find workers operating without Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), prompting him to immediately halt operations at the site.
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“Safety cannot be compromised. No work will resume until all workers are properly equipped with protective gear,” Musonda declared.
He also raised concerns over potential environmental violations, demanding proof of clearance from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) for the removal of valuable trees, including mango species, along the power line route.
“Where is your ZEMA clearance? Erecting poles without proper environmental approval risks both legal and ecological consequences,” he warned.
Musonda directed the contractor to submit a detailed implementation plan—including a Gantt chart and PPE compliance report—to the Permanent Secretary’s office by June 1, 2025.
He further announced that weekly inspections would follow and warned that failure to comply would result in summons for the project manager and potential sanctions.
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