The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has called on government to cushion consumers from the increase in the price of fuel pump price by reducing import duty on the commodity.
ZACA Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga says consumers will be badly affected by the increase in fuel pump prices as was announced by government yesterday and that the only way government could protect consumers from the effects of the hike is by reducing tax from the current 20 percent to 10 percent.
Mr Ililonga said fuel has a spiral effect on other products and therefore the increase in fuel pump price will lead to increases in the price of other goods and services.
He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that government should live up to its obligation of ensuring that consumers are spared the negative effects of the new development.
The ZACA Executive Director explained that people are likely to go through a lot of hardships as a result of the hike hence the need for government to come up with mechanisms to cushion consumers.
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) yesterday announced an increase in fuel pump prices by 15 percent, following the board’s decision to increase prices of diesel, petrol and kerosene by 15 percent across the board.
The increase is with effect from midnight yesterday.
ZANIS
LT this is very poor reporting. You should at least mention the pump price of petrol and diesel.