ERB denies having approved proposed Zesco tariff raise

ERB denies having approved proposed Zesco tariff raise
Written by Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wednesday, April 01, 2009 4:31:32 PM

THE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) yesterday disagreed with energy permanent secretary Peter Mumba’s recent remarks that the regulator has already approved Zesco’s proposed 66 per cent increment in tariffs.

“The ERB categorically states that it has not yet made any decision on Zesco’s application to increase electricity tariffs,” ERB chairperson Sikota Wina refuted in a statement. “Further, in arriving at any decision on the matter, the ERB will proceed in accordance with procedures stipulated in the law. It would therefore be absurd and deceitful for ERB to have already made a decision on the matter and then proceed to invite public comments on the matter.”

Sikota stated that contrary to the statement by Mumba, ERB had not yet agreed to award Zesco Limited’s proposed 66 per cent tariff increase on domestic, industrial and commercial power consumers.

“Members of the public are therefore hereby advised to disregard any reports to the contrary and are encouraged to submit any comments they may have on the proposed tariff increase to ERB [at the regulator’s head office],” he stated.

Sikota maintained that ERB would follow the provisions of the law when effecting Zesco’s proposed 66 per cent increase in electricity tariffs.

Mumba was over the weekend quoted by the state-owned and government controlled Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) to have said the ERB had already approved Zesco’s proposed tariff increment.