There was drama at the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) public hearing in Lusaka this morning when the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia (PTAZ) walked out of the hearing in protest of the agenda of the meeting.
The PTAZ was due to make the initial submission at the hearing organized in view of the association’s recent action against licensing of foreign fuel tankers by the ERB.
Speaking to journalists shortly after justifying his association’s boycotting of the public hearing, Association spokesperson Benson Tembo described the public hearing as a sham stating that it was against the provisions of the ERB Act.
Mr. Tembo, who was flanked by PTAZ president Roberto Sabbadin, says by holding the public hearing, the ERB is allegedly trying to hijack the objections his association submitted against the licensing of Superstar Forwarders Zambia Limited, Unitrans Zambia Limited and Zambulk Tankers Limited during a similar public hearing hosted by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA).
He said his association has however withdrawn is objections against Zambulk Tankers Limited because its shareholding has put into consideration the interest of Zambians.
Mr. Tembo said his association which is demanding the dismissal of the entire ERB Executive, will now wait for Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Christopher Yaluma to correct the situation failure to which they will suspend operations.
But in its submission to the public hearing that continued in absence of the PTAZ representation, Superstars Forwarders Zambia Limited through their lawyer Anthony Kasolo of MSK advocates submitted that the complaint by the PTAZ has no basis at law.
Mr. Kasolo has argued that this is because Superstars Forwarders Zambia Limited has not contravened any provisions of the ERB Act nor conditions of the License it was granted.
He has also backed his argument with Section 16 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act No. 24 of 2010 which obliges enterprises at all times to refrain from any act or conduct that actually limits access to markets or otherwise unduly restrain competition like PTAZ is trying to do.
Meanwhile Unitrans Zambia Limited Director Musenga Musukwa seconded the arguments by Superstars Forwarders Zambia Limited and dismissed PTAZ’s objections as only a sign of fear of competition.
Mr. Musukwa says his company equally has not contravened any provisions of the ERB Act.
That is disgraceful fire them all
Thanks
They are not employees Musho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
waste no time fire these banch of thieves who are good for nothing but there bellies.how do you support increasing electricity tariffs just because it benefits you.fire them all and as upnd forms govt we start anew .
The talk is on petroleum and not electricity! Don’t you think your outburst shows your impartiality in the whole case? Any way good for nothing ERB
The work of the ERB can easily be done by the department of energy. The presence of the erb just adds to the cost of energy, be it petroleum or electricity. These are some of the institutions that the government must be thinking of getting rid of. Seriously, we dont need the erb. Its a jubilication of the department of energy at the ministry. Let them justify their huge salaries, or else take the whole function of the erb to the ministry, you will save huge budgetary allocations.
Where is our free economy if zambians want that favour if you withdraw your trucks what hapens to the economy of the country you say its yours? Eco tumitinina mwe mazambians money first
The entry of Unitrans, Zimbulk and Star IS Serious competition in the transport sector. These guys with one or two wobbling trucks will not stand the pressure.Smaller players and transporters will definately be pushed out . Watch the space.