Luanda - The President of the ruling MPLA João Lourenço on Friday called for greater investment, preferably by the private sector, in transport and electricity distribution.
Speaking at the opening of the 6th ordinary meeting of the MPLA Central Committee, João Lourenço said although the Caculo Cabaça dams are yet to be concluded, the country is producing around 6,400 megawatts, of which only half is consumed.
João Lourenço said the inclusion of the private sector in the transport and distribution of energy could help increase industrial and domestic consumption and sell to neighboring countries.
Lourenço added that the surplus could be injected into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) grid to the south, as well as transported to the "Copper belt" region in Zambia, a stretch of 1,300 kilometers from Laúca dam.
According to João Lourenço the government is working on a solution to bring national electricity to Cabinda from Soyo and to discontinue the use of thermal power stations, which are big consumers of fossil fuels that are an enemy of the environment.
The MPLA leader praised the investments made in the health sector, which as he said, represent "a real revolution" at all levels of care, having recognized that there is still a lot to be done in terms of basic sanitation in towns and cities and improvements of people’s diets through the increase of domestic food production.
President João Lourenço also reiterated the need to encourage the practice of sport among young people, in the neighborhood and at school.
Asset recovery
João Lourenço said the Angolan state remains committed to recovering assets taken from the country, adding that almost 2 billion US dollars have been taken to different countries.
The president said that he has been in contact since December 2023 with the authorities of the Swiss Helvetic Confederation, where a large part of these funds are held in banks, but that the country had not yet managed to review the amount.
Lourenço welcomed the fact that the country has recovered 500 million US dollars that were in UK banks.
Special careers
In his speech, Lourenço stated that greater attention is being paid to Higher Education, with the construction of new infrastructure for universities and higher education institutes, the training and hiring of more professionals and, above all, a better valorization of university teaching careers.
The MPLA leader announced an increase in the salaries of professionals in special careers, such as university lecturers, researchers, military doctors and senior health technicians from June this year.
World peace and stability
President João Lourenço underscored the fact that the world is currently facing threats due to rapid and growing climate change and ongoing conflicts in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
João Lourenço said the two states solution, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully side by side, is the only viable and recommended solution for peace in the Middle East region, underlining that the longer it takes to create and recognize the State of Palestine "the greater the suffering on both sides, for both peoples".
The president said he fears the conflict escalates to the entire Middle East region, which could happen at any moment, advising Israel and Iran to exercise maximum restraint.
The Angolan head of state also said that the moment calls for the necessary wisdom and courage on the part of world leaders, international organizations and the United Nations to put a definitive end to the different conflicts and make a real contribution to world peace and security. JFS/SC/TED/AMP
