Energy and Power Development Minister, Advocate Fortune Chasi believes his hard work will eventually pay off but says he is not overambitious as he only wants to work for the betterment of the country.
Chasi last week took a bold decision to dissolve the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) board which he accused of being incompetent and not addressing pertinent issues which needed urgent attention.
He was largely credited for doing what his predecessor, Joram Gumbo, failed to during his tenure as he was believed to have protected his kith and kin.
However, Chasi, who has been touted as the best government official in President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government for his engagements with the people, says the decision was not a show of his overambitious manner but meant to benefit the whole country.
“I want to work, there must come a time in your life when you must work for your country. Others have done so, this is my time to work and to be effective and to do things properly and in a business-like manner so that we deal with this load shedding,” he said.
The country is currently battling a serious load-shedding that has crippled businesses, mining and agriculture among other sectors.
Chasi dismissed nepotism fears in the appointment of the next board saying the job must be given to reputable people.
“What I want is the best for the country, not for myself. I’m not going to have my friends or relatives there (ZESA) but I prefer people that have no relationships with me or that I have not known but who are considered by Zimbabwe to be men and women who have accomplished in business a capacity to run a huge entity such as ZESA,” Chasi said.
The former board, upon appointment by former Energy Minister, Dr Joram Gumbo was immediately directed to superintend over the rebundling of the power utility, fighting corruption and ensuring steady power supply for the nation.
Although no replacement has been made, Chasi said he would replace the board with people who do not wait for monthly or quarterly meetings to address the power challenges confronting the nation.
The Mnangagwa cabinet has been accused of being docile and inept as it has simply been sleeping on duty while the country suffers
