Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Tread Carefully on ZESCO unbundling

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ZESCO Muzuma substation being upgraded to KV 330 (from KV 220) in order to be connected to the national grid as soon as the Maamba coal plant station is commissioned
ZESCO Muzuma substation being upgraded to KV 330 (from KV 220) in order to be connected to the national grid as soon as the Maamba coal plant station is commissioned
The National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) has urged Government not to rush into restructuring ZESCO as doing so may result in economic misfortunes.

NESAWU General Secretary, Manson Mtambo said through the statement availed to media yesterday that Government should first carry out studies on the mode of restructuring the company and its impact on the economy.

Mr. Mtambo said the state should take stock of lessons learnt from the unbundling of state owned enterprises such as ZCCM and the Postal Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) whose economic benefits have remained elusive.

Mr. Mtambo said the move will result in an increase in electricity tariffs, further stating that the situation will have an adverse effect on ordinary citizens.

The NESAWU General Secretary said through the high cost of electricity generation and transmission which will be necessited by the importation of equipment and machinery.

Government is in the process of disbanding the country’s only power utility company in three entities namely power generation, distribution and marketing with each one working as a single entity.

12 COMMENTS

  1. Fives years ago I was for this idea but now with corrupt entities like Lazy Lungu he will just give the company to the Chines and the will now own Zamtel, ZNBC, ZESCO – Telecoms, Information and Energy….we are officially enslaved

  2. Zesco should just remain with the generation portfolio as they have failed in sales and marketing. Most of the power Zesco generates isn’t accounted for. Zesco income isn’t sales driven, that’s why they take too long to attend to customer needs. They don’t take loss of power as loss of income

  3. So if they remain with generation. those that will buy bulk power will ensure they account for it. CEC buys power from Zesco and efficiently supplies to the mines. Last year CEC declared $20M dividends while Zesco declared a loss. Andrew Kamanga buys power from Zesco and sales to Lumwana residents, so nothing sinister

  4. Comment:Govt should not unbundle as this will distablize new investment in the energy sector. PF should learn from MMD’s mistakes during privatization. More than 20years down the line some former employees are still struggling to get their benefits. Zesco is our treasured asset at the moment or else it will be another PTC/Zamtel story.

  5. The guy could be expressing genuine concerns or he’s worried that the union collections from workers pay may be adversely affected. Take your pick.

  6. In all honest ZESCO has failed to run on its own. I personally would like to see it privatised. Private sector is serious. All these issues of Zesco telling its clients that the list to attend to is yo big would be a serious KPI and not the current Zesco where it is considered normal. Rural electrification would easily happen. Private sector = money

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