The Africa Consumer Union (ACU) and the Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) have condemned the proposed electricity tariff increment by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO).
ZACA Executive Secretary Juba Sakala has therefore called on ZESCO not to go ahead with the proposed tariff hike as announced by the electricity supply company’s Copperbelt Province Regional Manager Wilbroad Chanda recently.
Mr. Sakala disclosed that the proposed hike should not be entertained because ZESCO had increased its tariffs less than a year ago.
And African Consumer Union First Vice President Muyunda Ililonga said the claim by ZESCO that current tariffs were not cost-reflective were not justifiable.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Ililonga challenged the firm to publish its costs for scrutiny in order for the public to fully understand its operations.
He explained that ZESCO should not hike tariffs beyond what most Zambians can afford.
He noted that increasing tariffs will make the cost of living high for Zambians.
Mr. Ililonga said the ACU fears that following the sharp tariff hike of 75 percent last year, the power utility company was faced with lower sale volume resulting from lower electricity consumption.
He further called for stringent measures to be put in place and a thorough restructuring of ZESCO’s business model if the power utility company is to be sustainable and maintain its customer base.
ZESCO Copperbelt Regional Manager Wilbroad Chanda recently told a media workshop that the power utility company was operating at a loss and that further tariff increment is imminent.
Really laughable, the worst is yet to come indeed. Sometimes you wonder what these nincompoops do at these institutions. Stealing everyday and no service to the nation. We need to employ some expatriates at this good for nothing Institution, and the IDC is just quite. What exactly do they do one wonders?
Don’t just condemn. This sorry excuse of a company should improve their service to poor Zambians instead of making them pay more for their mediocrity and dullness. Zesco needs to explain to the Zambian consumers what it is it did with the last increments and how Zambians are benefiting. If not fire the incompetent CEO and find someone who can perform. This is utter bull crap!
I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.
ZESCO SHOULD BE SELLING POWER DIRECTLY TO THE MINES AND NOT THROUGH CEC WHO BENEFIT ONLY A A FEW DIRECTORS AT THAT INSTITUTION.
THE CEC DIRECTORS HAVE MADE THEMSELVES BILLIONAIRES AND SUPPORT THE OPPOSITION AND STASH MONEY IN TAX HAVENS.
GOVT SHOULD ACT NOW
You see, the problem with ZESCO is that they don’t control costs. They’re very careless when it comes to spending. Look at how employees use company vehicles, wasting fuel plus their inflated wages. We can not continue funding the luxury lives of ZESCO employees as citizens. Get an Indian expatriate to run ZESCO for a year and you will see how ZESCO will suddenly have enough money without increasing electricity tariffs. Remove these useless allowances you’re giving people for doing nothing. This is the problem with people who spend all their lives working in the civil service. they know no hard work but know every allowance. They should also change their procurement process because corruption raises the cost of doing business exponentially.
“….Mr. Ililonga challenged the firm to publish its costs for scrutiny in order for the public to fully understand its operations….”
That’s ones thing the PF theives and lungu fear most ……like how kambwili fears a police station….
Zesco must increase low voltage level we consumers receive from 197v to 220v(poor service) .
hi john did u say increased electricity tariffs and new minimum wage,
its a total shame and a disgrace to humanity the cost of living is already high and these useless *****s talk of increasing vima tariffs how will poor Zambians survive
This totally absurd by zesco. This company is sick.
#2 STOP THE LOOTING, what opposition? The investors are opposition? So in your level of thinking Zesco passes the power across the wall fence to CEC and CEC passes it on to the mines over the next wall fence?
You mean you don’t see the wastage at Zesco or the excessive employment and excessive wages? You must be one of the Pf cadres given a job to do nothing at Zesco.