Stop ‘subsidising’ mines’ power tariffs
MINES have for a long time been treated with kid gloves over electricity tariffs despite being the bulk consumers and this must end, Zambian Republican president Wright Musoma has demanded.
Speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr. Musoma said the current situation where mines were paying low tariffs while ordinary citizens and other industries were paying through their noses must end.
He said it did not make sense that the major consumers were paying less compared to any other customer on the market adding that had the mines been paying the correct amount, the huge tariffs adjustments Zambians were subjected to would not have been effected.
He said ordinary Zambians were now feeling the pinch of having to subsidise for mines which were making huge profits as they were the ones who were being overcharged just to keep Zesco afloat.
He said as technocrats sit to find an amicable solution and way forward over the Bulk Supply Agreement (BSA) between Zesco and the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC), it must be made clear that ordinary Zambians were tired of subsidising the mines.
Mr Musoma said time had come for the mines to pay what was required of them if Zesco was to attain its desired cost-reflective tariffs which will not only make the power utility company viable, but also attract investment in the energy sector.
“With almost 200 percent electricity tariff increment forced on ordinary consumers, life will become unbearable. “Zesco is today complaining that its tariffs are not cost-effective and that this is the reason why we have seen huge upward tariff adjustments in less than three years on ordinary consumers but what about the mines? Why giving a holiday to the mines yet suffocating poor Zambians?” Mr. Musoma asked.
He said just like Government stopped subsiding electricity and fuel for its citizens, mining companies must also pay accordingly because they were the major consumers of electricity in the country.