Various stakeholders have welcomed the ZESCO emergency tariff application adjustment, saying it will improve the power utility’s operations to provide a satisfactory service to its consumers.
Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) president Ashu Sagar notes that cost effective tariffs will boost the manufacturing industry whose full operations depend on sustainable power supply.
Speaking during the ZESCO emergency tariff application hearing in Lusaka today, Mr Sagar said the proposed adjustment will accelerate the economic outlook of the country.
He, however, expressed concern on the seven hours of power supply allocated to the manufacturing sector and called for an increase in the number of hours.
Mr Sagar also appealed to ZESCO to stick to the proposed load management timetable in order for the manufacturing industry to plan properly.
Business Coalition task force committee member, Mark O’donnel, called for a 100 percent support of the ZESCO emergency tariff application as it is far less what is trending in the SADC region.
“As a business coalition task force, we are 100 percent in support of ZESCO’s emergency tariff adjustment application, this move will increase power generation which in turn will foster productivity in all areas of the economy,” he said.
Africa Greenco group founder Ana Hajduka said the tariff adjustment application by ZESCO will enable it to stand on its own feet, and that the depreciation of the kwacha against other convertible currencies has severely affected the utility company’s operations.
And ERB Board Chairperson James Banda announced that it will make a final decision on whether or not to approve ZESCO‘s emergency tariff application adjustment on Thursday, the 10, 2024.
He explained that the decision to approve the tariff application will depend on the merits, and will not be influenced by external or political factors.
Earlier, ZESCO Managing Director, Victor Mapani disclosed that the power utility company had by 2021 reduced its debt from US$1.8 billion to k430 million, which it is currently servicing now.
ZANIS
Not a single ordinary consumer interviewed. Anyway there’s nothing we can do. After all we haven’t used our electric stove since the total black out started….we have found other means.
This will add to the skyrocketing cost of living. Now, are Zambians resigned to the high cost of living?
It is a big shame to reduce your citizens to find other alternatives regarding electricity. ZED has no government, all they know is trying to block ECL.
Imagine the whole president wasting his whole presidential energy on ECL, instead of pushing & fulfilling his fat /big promises he made during them being in opposition. Pipo do NOT forget what you promised em”
The president doesnt work at zesco imwe ba group D naimwe. What will the president do than visiting china to get new investors, he can’t fill the kariba dam but diversify and thats what hes done.
While various stakeholders claim to support the ZESCO emergency tariff adjustment, it is crucial to recognize the underlying motivations of these entities. By obscuring the involvement of political party, they risk undermining public trust. True improvement in the power utility’s operations requires transparent dialogue and collaboration among all parties, rather than political maneuvering that prioritizes party interests over the welfare of citizens. Only through genuine partnership can we hope to resolve the persistent issues of load shedding and restore reliable power to our communities.
True improvement in the power utility’s operations requires transparent dialogue and collaboration among all parties, rather than political maneuvering that prioritizes party interests over the welfare of citizens. Only through genuine partnership can we hope to resolve the persistent issues of load shedding and restore reliable power to our communities.
We are so gullible, they can’t stick to a simple schedule what makes you believe a word they say? Just privatize ZESCO for goodness sake!
Privatise zesco. My foot! Do you know what you are talking about? Are you serious? How old are you? You think you will have lights in homes under private infestors. ZRL was once privatised to some company, LPM had quash that agreement. Some services are best provided by government or SOEs
I was reading in awe at the names and organizations that were reportedly in support of this. We get to a point where we realize these are nothing but businesses and Zambians of foreign descent who have proximity to someone in power.
That surprise came to an end upon reading that it was published by ZANIS. This gvmnt mouthpiece will surely ignore the many other contributions that were opposed to this tariff hike.
Next tariffs will go up and they will claim it’s the wish of the people. These tariffs will NEVER reduce as the gvmnt has opened the sector to the private who aim to make money. The cost of living will continue to go up.
No one is blocking anybody. Unless some people do not know how to read despite having grade twelufu as the constitution vokolize.
WE ARE DOOMED Until the people open their eyes and Mouths
Which stake holders are welcoming new tariffs?I don’t think any Zambian can welcome increased tariff in this biting economy.
Who cares? We are just waiting for 2026 to remove someone. Maybe its high time we try a woman. These monks have nothing to offer.
They minutely reduce fuel prices only to increase fuel shortages.
What most didnt understand that being good at business doesnt lend itself to making a good president
By the way where is this power going to come from? Zimbabwe? Are we not at war with that country…. verbal?
Here is a factual statistic:
“Zambia’s overall electrification rate remains at 42%, below the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 47%. While over 75% of urban households in Zambia have access to electricity—almost exclusively through the grid—less than 12% of rural households have any kind of electricity.”
The point I am making is that the loadshedding means nothing to the majority (58%) of the population and nothing either to 88% of rural households.
People, the supply of electricity in Zambia has always been bad and below the Sub-Saharan Africa average but is something that is now finally being addressed by the current government.
They were never going to rest till the tariffs were up.
I have never seen Zambians suffering like that before. This is real suffering… We are even calling black out loadshading?! I was hearing the state of nation address, it didn’t give any hope.