average of 35 per cent electricity tariffs increment as opposed to the 66 per cent increment which the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) had proposed.
ZESCO had proposed that the electricity tariffs be adjusted upwards from the current 27 per cent to 66 per cent, which the ERB has cut to only 35 per cent.
ERB board chair person, Sikota Wina, said the increment will be effective from 1st August 2009.
Mr. Wina said in Lusaka today that government should give urgent consideration to the observations that were made by the public during consultations on the ZESCO electricity tariffs.
“A total of 69 submissions were received by the board regarding the tariff application and subsequently two public hearings were held in Kitwe and Lusaka on 17th and 19th June 2009, respectively,” he said.
Mr. Wina said there was need for the recapitalization, restructuring and rebuilding of ZESCO if the power utility company is to operate effectively and carry out its expansion programmes in the country.
He further said the Conversion to Volume differentiate Tariffs should be undertaken once ZESCO has satisfactorily established, implemented and demonstrated the capability of handling a tariff pricing regime.
Mr. Wina reiterated that the ERB will strongly monitor the agreed key performance indicators upon which subsequent tariffs increases will be determined.
ERB has since urged ZESCO to expand its customer base and improve the quality of services, now that it has been granted higher tariffs.
He noted that the power utility company is expected to provide improved quality of service delivery as the company is going through a transition towards cost reflective tariffs.
ZANIS
Kasako! I think my relatives can deal with 35% hike not 66%
Who cares? They can increase upto 85% if they want. Zambians are rich. They will pay. I only get worried when e-on increase their tariffs by even 5%.
Let’s hope they do not start investing in executive cars instead of buying back up generators. Hefty salary increments, unnecessary travels and increased allowances must be avoided at all costs. We shall be watching ZESCO.
Very sad indeed…Failure of the part of Zesco to plan ahead is what has cause this. How can a company that is a monopoly in a market fail to invest for the future? We are still using the same infrastructure that was built soon after the colonialists left…damn….
ERB!!!!!!!!!!! And were do you think people are going to get that amount of money? They should have considered a maximum of 15 percent, NO infact 11% ( earmarked for salary increase). Otherwise this is a daylight robbery of the masses, tantamount to rape.
This is a disaster! And yet, loadshedding will continue.
ERB!!!!!!!!!!!! How could you????????
The maximum should have been 11% (amount budgeted for salary increment) maybe maximum should have been 15%. This is equal to daylight robbery of the masses. And if ERB cannot protect the Zambian public who will? as RB already sanctioned the 66% tariff hike.
Still, that is too much considering the percentage at which salaries are increased (15%).
66% 35% 85% 100% It doesn’t really matter, only the Govt workers will suffer with thier 15% salary increment. Kaili Kanitundila is enjoying at Plot one (1).
salary increment 15%,zesco tarriffs 35%,these guys really want us to pay through the nose,…..
The 35% shud have been in phazez of 15% 1st year, 10% second year and then 10% the third year. This iz rather harsh on the citizens of a country able to generate its own electricity. This is like the fuel we have to import.
Ala. why?? Moderation for what? LT what happened to free expression?
1964 zambia got its indepence. There has bee no war no earth queks to tsunami no cyclone Japhet and yet we are the most undeveloped nation. Even Angola is doing better.
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its interesting to note that ERB has given in to IMF directives to increse the tariffs before they are done with evaluating submissions from the public. it just goes to show that when people are invited to participate its usually just out of political expedience and whatever submissions are made, will just be thrown in the trush bin. we’ve seen with CRC, various indabaz, radio Pheonix, etc. and the powers that be will always get there way. Incresing tariffs may not be bad in itself but this should be accompanied with efficiency in service delivery and not the managerial madness we have seen at ZESCO. by the way who constitutes ERB board?
Its also high time Zambians also adjusted interms of energy consumption and the forms of energy we use….we all are hooked to electricity like a two month old to a breast. We need to start using LPG (Liquified Petroluem Gas) for cooking, heating and even lighting our homes.Technology has made this form of energy very user friendly, and more importantly, very safe indeed. No need for charcoal or smoky woods (we are also saving our environment), and its very affordable and convenient. Very soon, electric stoves will be obsolete and I look forward to that day so tha Zesco can increase the tariffs by even 150% and it will not bother us. Wake up Zambians!!
This is unfair, how is a teacher or a nurse going to afford?
i wish RB could say something
The same people who are in the management board at ZESCO are the same people who are at ERB, so it this explains it all.
These guys are unfair, why should they treat zambians in their own land as foreigners. or as if they are just renting?
We just have to bite the bullet. Unless we invest in power generation, even the lttle elctricity supply we have will not be there in future. Our chuldren will judge us for that. Let us just sacrifice for the future. Hopefully Zesco and GRZ will also sacrifice.
#19, UK- Zed Observer. zedans are very understanding people and would support efforts to tap the undeveloped potential in relation to power generation but the point is this calls for sacrifice that our leaders are not willing to make. further, the infficiencies in zesco are another problem will have to face and unless govt and zesco evils are addressed, most of us will find it difficult to accept such increases however well meaning they are.
Sikota Wina is Board Chairman? eish isnt he a wanted drug peddler in America? My Zambia shame
lets now see what zESCO will do the the kasako increament of tariffs.
Atleast 35% than that 66% as earlier proposed.Hope this will also reduce the current load shedding we are still experiencing home,very bad indeed
RB is Zambia’s worst curse!
How could somebody appoint him as VP? I bet he is laughing at the civil servants “their 15% increment will go to pay the me through ZESCO, Nizabamvesa na 35%”
Next it will be PAY AS YOU EARN, FUEL TAX, and when you die, he will charge you HEARSE LEVY/TAX.
Monkeys, help us!
I said investing in Zaambia is a very expensive venture and this hike is just the right example
RB and your Government what do you say about this. Things should move together, you increased teachers and Nurses salaries by just 15% and you asked them to go for Work. Now Zesco well increase teriffs by 35% and you still expact the same teachers and Nurses to pay Zesco the money. Where is the 20% going to come from to pay for this. Tundila Banda and your term you are not thinking properly. Please it is time for you & you people to go. You have really failed US.
This too much, increament when there is no malaiti!!! total no sense.
Zambia is only good for politicians to live in! RB and Mulongoti do not understand what this increment mean to teachers and nurses! That is why these two categories of EVIL servants (i.e. civil servants) will not even be paid their salaries this month! RB is really out to finish off the poor worker! Pity for self!
Guys in the diaspora, I wish you well.