The Zambia Consumer Association ( ZACA) has opposed the proposed 36 percent tariff increment by ZESCO and called on the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to reject the application.
ZACA Acting Executive Director Samuel Simutunda said the proposed tariff hike by ZESCO was unjustified and should not be allowed by ERB.
Mr. Simutunda said ZESCO has been awarded several hikes but it has not improved its quality of service to customers and it was unthinkable to hike the tariff by the company and at such a margin.
Mr. Simutunda noted that the company has abused its monopoly position for too long adding that it was high time the ERB took a firm stand regarding the operations of ZESCO.
He said that if the ERB can not take bold measures to protect consumers from ZESCO’s abuse, then the board itself should be disbanded.
He said domestic consumers in Zambia where paying exorbitant electricity bills and they should be protected from further abuse by ZESCO.
ZANIS
Zesco should hike prices for power exports, not for domestic use.
All zesco workers do not pay for electricity they use in their homes.Zesco workers receive very high salaries;they are among the most highly paid in zambia.Management sweem in luxary.There is inefficience in zesco. The consequences of these factors are losses resulting in low investiments.It is therefore,unfair to transfer the costs born out of bad management to consumers.zesco must check these factors and their revenues will improve.
No amount of argument against the Zesco tariff hike will stop the firm from effecting the increment, since they have the backing of government in this regard.