Business Analyst Opposes ERB’s Approved ZESCO Tariffs
A Business and Political Analyst has described Energy Regulation Board (ERB)’s decision to approve ZESCO’s application for emergency electricity tariff adjustment as a total economic torture on the people and emerging businesses.
Francis Chipili told Money FM News that it is of great concern that Government has continued to subject citizens to direct and indirect taxes while people’s incomes remain unchanged.
Mr. Chipili stated that the people are already struggling to survive and the new tariffs will further add economic pain, once implemented.
“There is no denial that the country faces hydro-electricity deficit as result of the 2023/ 2024 poor rainfall leading to serious drought.”
“But it is also critical to point out that the negative impact of global warming is not a new phenomenon and so proactive leaders in proactive nations began to implement social economic policies to insulate the lives of many citizens against the hardships of global warming,” Mr. Chipili stated.
He said it is sad that Government has continued to implement social-economic policies that will further cause the people to endure direct economic challenges.
“You can only squeeze so much milk from a cattle based on how well it is fed. The people are already struggling to survive and the new tariffs when implemented will further add economic pains to the people. Government must no punish the people by heavily taxing them,” he said.
Yesterday, Energy Regulation Board approved ZESCO’s application for emergency electricity tariff adjustment for a period of three months effective 1st November 2024 to 31st January, 2025.
In its application, ZESCO aims to raise US$15 million monthly from retail customers to contribute towards the importation of 788 Megawatts of power to mitigate the current load shedding.
ZESCO has also proposed reduction in the tariffs for residential R1, R2 and Commercial C1 Customers, which will provide relief for low-income households as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and ensure that the tariffs are affordable to this category of consumers.
