UPND cautions Govt over CEC

THE United Party for National Development (UPND) on the Copperbelt has appealed to Government to rescind its decision of declaring Copperbelt Energy Cooperation (CEC) power transmission lines common carrier.

The CEC on June1, 2020 discontinued supply pf power to Konkola Copper Mines PLC as the power supply agreement (PSA) between the two firms came to an end on March 31, 2020 but was extended through a mutual agreement of the parties up to May 31, 2020.

However, Energy Minister Matthew Nkhuwa, issued a Statutory Instrument, declaring CEC power lines common carriers, effectively allowing other players such as Zesco to use the lines to supply electricity to KCM and other customers. KCM owes CEC more than $140 million for bulk power supply.

But UPND Provincial Publicity Secretary Kennedy Kalunga told the Daily Nation in Kitwe that it was important for Government to reconsider its decision, as this could job losses on the Copperbelt.

“Many Zambians have invested in CEC that we do not even want to imagine what will happen to the already high unemployment levels in the province and the country at large,” he said.

Mr Kalunga said that as a pro-poor Government, the state should listen to the cries of the people and rethink through their earlier decision pf not having the CEC- Zesco contract renewed.

He further said that the decision had created uncertainties in the country and among investors in particular.