PMRC seeking Zambia’s energy solutions & embraces CUTS ….as Bernadette Deka honours Zambian media

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By Derrick Sinjela

Policy Monitoring Research Centre (PMRC) Executive Director Bernadette Deka will launch a ‘Research Study’ entitled ‘Power Sector Roadmap –Delivering Zambia’s Energy Needs’ and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consumer Unit Trust Society (CUTS) on Wednesday 5^th December 2018.

Secondly, building on an earlier pledge, Ms. Deka to continue interfacing with Zambian communicators during a Lusaka Province Quarterly Media Workshop hosted at Taj Pamodzi Hotel on Thursday 12^th July 2018, PMRC will host the 2018 PMRC Media Awards themed: ‘Awarding Excellence in Development Policy Reporting’ at the  same venue on  Thursday 13^th December 2018.

A passionate media activist, Ms. Deka says PMRC, established six years ago as a think-tank in 2012, designed to promote understanding through evidence based research and education, will continue to encourage and facilitate debate on social and economic policy issues critical to National Development.

“PMRC’s vision is ‘Unlocking Zambia’s Potential’ through evidence-based Policy Research Analysis and Reform Proposals.  Our thematic areas include; Economic Development, Good Governance, Natural Resources and the Environment, Livelihoods and Social Protection,” explained Ms. Deka as she alluded to a four-point Analytical work agenda; ‘Promote public understanding through research and education; ‘Encourage debate on social and economic policy issues critical to poverty reduction; ‘Disseminate research based reform proposals; and ‘Support Government machinery in recommending policy and procedure’.

As a practical way of achieving its aims, Ms. Deka reiterated PMRC’s resolve towards undertaking evidence-based research studies into Zamia’s Energy Sector, with unwavering support from Kivu International and the Department for International Development (DfID) in Zambia, who commissioned a ‘Power Sector Roadmap – Delivering Zambia’s Electricity Needs’.

“The ‘Power Sector Roadmap – Delivering Zambia’s Electricity Needs’ Study contributes to ongoing reform of the ‘Energy Sector’ to ensure long-term reliable electricity supply to realize the country’s full growth potential by securing Zambia’s electricity supply and demand needs,” stated Ms. Deka.

Ms. Deka equally implored the importance of an inclusive solution based social and economic policy agenda, in line with the spirit of the 2017-2021 Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), which recognizes the imperative for investment in more generation capacity in hydro, geothermal, wind, solar and nuclear.

“We need investment from Independent Power Producers (IPP’s), and in order to get the most from IPP’s, the Energy Sector must ensure that we prudently plan our power systems well,” implored Ms. Deka.

“As a way of achieving some of our stated aims; to promote public understanding through research and education, PMRC has dedicated itself to support media in improving the quality of reporting through research, improved media ethics and motivation which hopefully will in turn lead to enhanced media participation in the nation’s (Zambia’s) sustainable development agenda,” a grateful Ms. Deka prodded.

Briefing Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Ms. Silvia Chalikosa, early this year, Ms. Deka recollected that PMRC had hosted media workshops in Ndola, Copperbelt Province and Livingstone, Southern Province.

Ms. Deka reported a positive response an feedback, which prompted the PMRC Media Indaba, which attracted journalists from Mongu (Radio Liseli), Mansa (Tuta FM), Kasama (Radio Mano),  Eastern Province (Breeze FM of Chipata District), Solwezi (Beats FM) an Kabwe (Cloud FM).

“We want to provide a platform where media personnel can review their skills, ethics and experiences to ensure that they contribute to the overall sustainable development agenda and reporting on the progress of the 2017-2021 Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) launched in 2017 on the theme: “Accelerating development efforts towards the vision 2030 without leaving anyone behind,” noted an optimistic Ms. Deka during a meeting attended by PMRC Board Chairperson, Ms. Margaret Mh’ango-Mwanakatwe, serving as Zambia’s Second Female Finance Minister. Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President, Ms. Edith Zewelani Nawakwi was the first female to serve as Finance Minister.

Ms. Deka explained that in 2018, PMRC publications were ‘Policy Analysis: Towards successful implementation of the Seventh National Development Plan-the importance of mindset shift in implementation of the 7NDP, ‘Briefing Document: Analysis of Dual Citizenship in Zambia, Policy Brief: Housing Development in Zambia within the framework of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 11, ‘Research Report: Energy Policy Reform-Independent Power Producers and Power Sector Reform: Some lessons from comparative experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and 7NDP Info graphics.

PMRC is equally scheduled to host an International Public Lecture, allowing speakers to share knowledge, experiences and ideas profiling social and economic issues, Community Schools Corporate Social Responsibility and translation of materials into braille.

During an interactive discourse, former Special Assistant to 4^th Republican President, Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, Dickson Jere, now a legal counsel urged journalists and media practitioners to develop a thick skin.

On his part, Diamond Television Zambia (DTZ) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ambassador Frank Mutubila bragged that he is simply put ‘The Best’ in Zambian Broadcasting, as the former envoy to Italy prodded participants to die a little for the profession.

Ms. Kunda Mando implored media practitioners to treat journalism as a vocation.

VICE President Inonge Mutukwa-Wina is elated that Policy Monitoring Research Centre (PMRC) Executive Director Bernadette Deka is enhancing media capacity with regard to understanding and accurately reporting progress on the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).

Ms. Mutukwa-Wina challenged the media to always report professionally, ethically and to uphold high standards as Zambia depends on communicator’s information dissemination abilities to make informed decisions.