Staff Reporter

Speaking during the commissioning of the Zimbabwe National Defence University Dedicated Power Line, President Mnangagwa said Universities should explore and exploit renewable sustainable sources of energy.

President Mnangagwa said Government remained determined to broaden electricity generation and distribution mix in line with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable, clean and modern energy.

He exhorted university institutions to pursue the biogas digester project among other projects that should see these institutions growing at an accelerated pace.

“As a Government, we remain determined to broaden the electricity generation and distribution mix in line with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable, clean and modern energy.

“To this end, I challenge the University to explore and exploit renewable and sustainable sources of energy.  Riding on innovative solutions, I further exhort the institution to pursue the biogas digester project among other projects that should see the institution growing at an accelerated pace,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa further expressed concern over the scourge of vandalism of National power infrastructure. He implored the ZRP and all relevant stakeholders to scale up their operations to flush out criminals who commit these crimes. He also called on communities and families to inculcate good family values to children.

“It is disturbing to note that whilst concrete investments are being made to broaden our electricity generation and distribution matrix, the scourge of vandalism of national power infrastructure is on the rise. I call upon the nation and communities across all districts and provinces to raise their security consciousness and safeguard our national infrastructure. Equally, the ZRP and other stakeholders are challenged to scale up their operations to flush out criminal elements that vandalise national infrastructure,” the President said.

The President’s concern follows a string of criminal activities that have left residential and Industrial areas in darkness.  At times power outages can stretch for days or months without electricity due to vandalism of ZESA transformers by criminals. Residents have assisted ZESA by paying heavy amounts of money in order to buy these transformers before power can be restored.