Prof. Clive Chirwa Blasts Leadership for Incompetence”
Zambia’s internationally renowned inventor and researcher, Prof. Clive Chirwa, has unleashed a blistering critique against the government and ZESCO, holding them squarely responsible for the energy crisis paralyzing the nation. Speaking at the International Multi-Disciplinary Conference in Lusaka, Prof. Chirwa accused leaders of gross incompetence and negligence, declaring the current power crisis as a direct result of their failure to heed expert advice.
“This energy crisis is not an accident—it is a manufactured disaster born of arrogance, ignorance, and misplaced priorities. I presented solutions years ago, but ZESCO and successive governments chose to ignore them. Now, the entire nation is paying the price for their incompetence,” he said bluntly.
Prof. Chirwa did not mince words as he tore into what he described as the culture of political self-interest that has plagued Zambia for decades. He revealed that he had submitted detailed plans to ZESCO to prevent the looming energy crisis, but they were arrogantly dismissed.
“This country has become a graveyard for innovation. Leadership here is allergic to intelligence. My solutions were not just ignored—they were deliberately buried because they threatened the status quo of mediocrity and political greed,” he fumed.
He further lambasted the government’s obsession with short-term populist decisions at the expense of long-term solutions. “Instead of investing in sustainable energy systems, they chase after flashy, ineffective projects that pad their egos but leave the country in darkness—literally and figuratively.”
Prof. Chirwa recounted his ambitious plans to transform Lusaka and Kitwe into smart cities with underground train systems and modern energy-efficient infrastructure. However, he said these projects were derailed by political sabotage.
“These ideas weren’t pipe dreams—they were practical, actionable plans designed to lift Zambia out of its backwardness. But political egos and corruption killed them. The leadership doesn’t care about progress; they care about clinging to power,” he said.
The celebrated engineer painted a grim picture of the country’s future if leaders continue down the same path. He accused them of failing to prioritize the needs of ordinary Zambians.
“We are a country sitting on vast potential, yet we are brought to our knees by poor decisions and lack of vision. Factories are closing, homes are in darkness, and children are studying under candlelight because those in power refuse to listen to those who know better,” he thundered.
Prof. Chirwa ended his speech with a stark warning to Zambia’s leaders and a call to action for its citizens.
“If you continue to silence experts and prioritize your pockets over progress, this nation will collapse under the weight of your failures. But the people of Zambia must also wake up and demand better governance. If you keep tolerating incompetence, you’ll keep getting darkness—both literally and metaphorically.”
His words, raw and unfiltered, left little room for doubt about his frustrations. Zambia’s energy crisis, he asserted, is not just a technical problem but a moral failure—a crisis born of leadership that lacks courage, vision, and accountability.
KUMWESU DEC 19, 2024
I keep telling you people that Hakainde is totally incompetent.
He is a specialist in failure.
Vote wisely in 2026.
Imcompentence this opportunist is back name calling after failing to account for the Zambia Railways Euro bond money. Then when he thought things were quiet he came back to lie that if given an opportunity he would contribute . Contribute to what? Stealing? Ba expert ba boza aba…just a theiving opportunitist. Ifhe was such an expert why doesnt he have a job in europe? Why was he clammering for a job here…kabwalala
Account for the Eurobond money
@Jata Bulenge, it’s people like you who will keep the nation backward when other countries are develop through innovation. You are so ignorant you don’t take anything that the Prof has said here. You are those uneducated praise singers who don’t see the future. What a shame.
Ba Jata, Professor Chirwa had nothing to do with the way the Eurobond dollars were utilized. He was in office as Zambia Railways CEO for only 3 or so months.
Let’s be real and serious. Why did Sata fire this man after just three months? Unless you just want to act ignorant, this opportunistic Professor never showed even an iota of patriotism in his demands for lofty conditions of service that he never had even in the UK, when he knew and still knows that his country is poor. Clive can only sway simple minds with his hypocrisy. Remember it’s the PF Government that kicked him out. Just in case Indigo thinks that happened after the momentous 2021 defeat of his idol.
Clive Chirwa is just a crook period. Doesnt live here, comes here occassionally makes noises and thinks we will be impressed and throw money at him.
Reading the comments. When it didnt work at Zambia Railways…its now a vehicle plant. Why cant he do that ku ngalade kwame uku? Now you come here where you find us with our loadshedding and want to remind us of our struggles while in England they have similar but different problems of inflation, homelessness and killing each other on the streets like chickens. Kwawama kuno? Olo njala ya inflation pa “dole” ya vuta?
@Jata Bulenge, it’s people like you who will keep the nation backward when other countries are develop through innovation. You are so ignorant you don’t take anything that the Prof has said here. You are those uneducated praise singers who don’t see the future. What a shame.
Show us the innovation that this man has ever brought apart from lipservice?
There are people doing alot of innovative stuff without grandstanding. Clive Chirwa is not one of them. There are alot of Zambians working abroad quietly doing unimaginable things without making noise. Clive Chirwa is not one of them. So please lets not be cheated. Lets just work hard and telling these “snake oil sales men” to get a life……
That’s not how professional engagement is undertaken. You do not go to the media to vent out your frustration. At personal level, Clive Chirwa has promised a motor vehicle assembly plant at Kapiri Mposhi. He even arranged a display of the prototype model at Government Complex. When is he going to deliver on that one?