THE GOVERNMENT has urged ZESCO planners and the Lusaka City Council planning department to synchronise their development plans to have a systematic approach in dealing with issues of vandalism and encroachment.

Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said the re-enforcement and expansion projects would foster trade and investment in the country and warned Lusaka residents to desist from acts of vandalism and encroachment on infrastructure.

Speaking during the ZESCO scooping meeting for the proposed 132KV Ring Reinforcement project in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mukanga said ZESCO was currently undertaking numerous power system reinforcements and expansion projects across the country at a huge cost to the national treasury.

"Hence, anyone found committing the offence shall be punished accordingly and encouraged ZESCO planners and Lusaka City Council planning department to synchronise their development plans.

He pointed out that upon implementation of this project, service delivery of electricity would greatly improve.

Mr Mukanga said Lusaka has been growing at an average of six per cent per annum in terms of population and this has an escalated rate in business as well.

The Government has developed the Lusaka Master Plan which is mainstreamed in the Sixth National Development Plan, the Millennium Development Goals and the Vision 2030.

Speaking at the same forum, ZESCO chairperson Father Frank Bwalya said the utility company was committed to the implementation of the 132 KV Ring Reinforcement in Lusaka.

Father Bwalya said Lusaka city consumes about 40 per cent of the electricity generated by ZESCO.

He said ZESCO would ensure that the capacity load was increased to avoid unnecessary crises that would retard development in the country.