Former National Council for Construction Executive Director Sylvester Mashamba has charged that the Zambian economy is now dead and buried following the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
Dr Mashamba stated that the latest hike in electricity which has gone up by 200% will only attract international investors in the energy sector but will kill the Zambian economy.
He said he does not see the few remaining manufacturers and farmers being able to remain in business at this new electricity tariff which will lead to more job losses and more imports which will result in weaker kwacha.
Dr Mashamba who is now a Dean of Students at the Copperbelt University said there was need to address the inefficiencies, wastefulness and dysfunctional management structures at ZESCO.
He proposed that ZESCO should have been dismantled into generation, distribution and supply before the new tariffs were approved.
Dr Mashamba also stated that party cadres should be removed from ZESCO and bring in professionals.
‘After dismantling Zesco, it should’ve been privatized to the highest, experienced and reputable electricity companies,’ Dr Mashamba posted on his Facebook page.
‘The above notwithstanding, where is the expected Zambian economy recovery expected to come from, given the current 29-32 bank rates, 200% electricity terrify increase, load shedding another list goes on.’
Dr Mashamba said President Lungu should go further with his austerity measures, including privatizing none profitable public institutions starting with Zamtel.
‘Development does not come by accident, it has to be planned for, so what’s the plan?’ he asked.
Dr Mashamba, were you not told that this Government was formed by PF?
And that the PF is known as CNP?
There is NO PLAN! Except getting elected to chew more taxpayers money, even if it means totally destroying Zambia.
The ONLY thing Lungu has been honest about is that he has NO VISION. It is a case of the blind leading the blind!
the problem we have in zambia we lack patience in our atitudes we are not ready to endure believe me guys twali temwa fast things,and we are very fast to cry even when change is gradual we always conclude,nangu mukabikepo ba HH bane provided your atitude as an individual does not change we are doomed,icalo mafupa bakolokotakofye washa
Sorry we are PF!!! we have no plan. Next we are increasing fuel prices so if you think the economy is dead wait a few days more when we eventually hike fuel, you will cry!!! Its called Donchi Kubeba 101 and Kolopa dot com 201 economics courtesy of Copperstone University!!! “Where you learn absolutely nothing”
Ba Mashamba – Such careless and sweeping statements should be avoided by people who want to be identified as intellectuals. Whilst your advise on ZESCO is good, avoid alarmist statements. Will you include in your analysis how the new 200% rise compares with obtaining electricity tariffs in the neighboring countries?
Phd with no brains. Just becoz they chased u at NCC 4 non performance u ve become bitter & frustrated now giving toilet analysis. We need investments in energy u useless dokota. The tarriffs were not cost reflective 4 a long time.
Observer I take exception to your post.
Did u know the mines have 20 year Developement Agreements whereby their tarriff is fixed at 4 cents ?
Did u know that mines consume 70% of our electricity ?
So us as Zambians who use 30% of the power get clobbered with massive increases but the mines who use up 70% of the power have no cost increase.
to be fair, Govt must also standardise everything else with regional countries. How about civil servant pay, minimum wages etc.
Fuel is so much cheaper in Botswana and Malawi. Can we expect realignment of fuel prices.
Sorry to say, but this country is going to the dogs. I worry about bakeries, butcheries, block making, steel industries, plastic bag manufacturers, nakambala sugar irrigation scheme, etc. all they will do is pump their prices up. The rich will get richer, poorer get poorer
Very dull analysis indeed. I am so against privatising ZESCO because it will not benefit Zambians. We have So many privatized companies Which Now Are exploiting Zambians. What need need is to overhaul ZESCO management.