FORMER president Edgar Lungu has predicted a higher increase in the cost of living than ever before in the country due to the increase in ZESCO tariffs meant to reduce the long hours of loadshedding by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB)
The former president described the increase in tariffs as “unpatriotic, inhumane, and truly shameful.”
“My caution to you is that life in Zambia, already under the heavy cloud of hunger, poverty, high unemployment, and citizen misery, is about to get worse in terms of the cost of living and rising prices,” he cautioned.
“This decision will negatively affect your home, my home, and our businesses.”
On Thursday, the ERB approved the national utility’s reapplication to hike electricity tariffs with consideration of tariff affordability, the impact of load shedding on Zambians, and the utility’s financial performance and viability.
ERB board chairperson James Banda said the new tariffs will provide relief to households and businesses.
Banda explained that in their application, Zesco proposed to reduce the tariffs for some residential and commercial customers, which will provide relief for low-income households and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as tariffs will be affordable too.
He said this measure will also assist in alleviating any huge financial impact that would arise from the increased tariffs as they will enable Zesco import sufficient power for the industries to ensure that these productive sectors remain sustainable during the Emergency period.
“Additionally, it was submitted by businesses during the public hearings that the cost of running diesel generators is way above the proposed tariff adjustment,” said Banda.
However, Lungu thinks otherwise and further encouraged citizens to vote against the UPND terming the policy as cruel.
“The golden rule is that when the cost of electricity rises just like diesel and petrol prices of basic commodities and food such as mealie meal, cooking oil, sugar, fertiliser, meat, vegetables, rentals, and transport automatically rise in tandem with the cost of energy. Our citizens carry and pay the harsh price.”
“This policy is cruel, as the government believes it is fair to milk small goats (citizens) all day without giving them any food or water,” said Lungu.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, October 12, 2024
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