The Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) has appealed to the government to put on hold the impending electricity tariff increase until the fuel price stabilizes on the international market.
Speaking to ZANIS in Kitwe today ZACA president Juba Sakala said government should put on hold its plans to increase the electricity tariffs so that people are not overburdened in view of the current escalating fuel prices.
Government has planned to increase the electricity tariffs this year in a bid to attain cost-reflective rates that will promote investment in the energy sector.
Mr. Sakala said combining the current escalating fuel prices and increased tariffs will be unbearable for consumers as such government should postpone the plans and observe how the cost of fuel will fluctuate on the international market.
“We know the escalating fuel prices is beyond government’s control but the government needs to show readership and find ways of shielding the consumers from external shocks such as this, we also need government to put on hold the impeding electricity tariffs increase for about three to four months until fuel prices stabilizes,” Mr. Sakala said.
He has since called on government to devise means of absorbing the impact of external economic forces so as to protect consumers.
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) yesterday adjusted upwards the pump prices of petroleum products by K4.54/litre for Petrol, K4.68/litre for Diesel and K3.93/litre for Kerosene.
Meanwhile, the Emerald and Semi-Precious Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) has urged government to introduce tax exemption incentives on the importation of mining equipment in order to attract investors in the mining sector.
ESMAZ president Victor Kalesha said it will be difficult to attract investors in the sector with the prevailing escalating fuel prices and the unstable local currency unless strategic incentives are introduced to ensure that investors recoup their investments.
“Government can allow free importation of mining equipment as investors would be assured of recovering their investments despite the high fuel prices and the unstable Kwacha, without such initiatives it would be difficult to attract investments in the mining sectors,” Mr. Kalesha said.
He noted that last night’s pronounced fuel pump price hike will make business tough as the cost of doing business will go up.
He however noted that the new dawn government is already working towards bringing down the cost of doing business and to lower the general cost of living.
All energy prices will go up, unless you control your own destiny: GET SOLAR. Yes you need to invest in purchasing a system, but that is ONE OFF, after that FREE power FOR LIFE.
FREE POWER FOR LIFE KIKIKIKI
SOLAR BATTERIES COST A FORTUNE
my house cost $$ 2.300 for 4 Batteries
With increase compounded fuel and electricity means you consumers will consume less as Inflation pressures from energy and fuel affects supply of goods and services leading to to further price spiral and shifting in cost curves in those sectors of value With consumer spending down it means revenues for those firms becomes a matter of breakevens and some no so ethical the choice is not to navigate but close shop leading to losses and further unemployment rate deteriorations Fuel prices per barrel will trade around 100 to 145 USD in the short to long-term as energy transitions happen So Gov must either manage the reserves in purchasing the fuels or wake up to ensure price sustainability both for power and fuels supporting productivity because that is what matters most
Supporting productivity as you invest in the economies and reap some taxes and incomes and other social but preservation and development of productivity sectors in ultilisation of these fiscal tools in fuel and electricity can add some GDP rather than reduce it even further beyond forecast Then modeling increases over some quarter working stratergies to maintain important so is better than playing market Dynamics with little economies and weak reserve management or margins in case of power trading It’s possible to work and achieve economies even in these energy unfoldings
See also the impact on one individual members personal consumption expenditures and reflect the impact at house and SMEs levels for those engaged in productivity nott anything
The problem with Zesco is that they don’t have a plan to expand their infrastructure, they only know how to buy 32 cars for their directors at $150,000 a piece. But 60,000 people are waiting on their connection, all paid in advance sometimes two years ago. And now they say there are not enough wooden poles. I’m not going to pay for such mismanagement, I invested in solar four years ago and now I pay NOTHING anymore to Zesco, and never again any LOADSHEDDING.
Yes Tikki solar is not cheap, it requires investment indeed. But I haven’t bought any Zesco units for more than four years now, free power and no loadshedding. And I have helped more than a hundred people to do the same, and especially more than twenty farms. For free advice and consultation send an email to [email protected] available nationwide. Systems from 600W to 250kW three phase.
@No Corruption Zambia
OK OK OK, I’m not knocking you at all , and in the future definitely Solar is the way forward 100%
I was just shocked the other day when I had to buy 2 Batteries for $ 2,000
They old ones only lasted just over 2 years ? they only supply lights to my house
to me thats a big expense ….