UPND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DROUGHT TO INCREASE ELECTRICITY TARIFFS, SAYS KUNDA

ZAMBIA Wake Up party president Howard Kunda has accused government of taking advantage of the dry spells to increase electricity tariff.

And Mr Kunda said Zambians must be wary of what is going on in the country so that come 2026 they vote out the UPND government.

In an interview, Mr Kunda said if Zesco goes ahead to increase the tariffs amid load shedding, it will be a sign that the droughts where just an excuse to increase.

He wondered why the power utility company would want to increase the tariffs when at the same time it has announced that the country should anticipate load shedding.

He said President Hichilema is on record criticising the previous government regarding the electricity tariffs and promised to sort out these issues, but he has swallowed his words.

Mr Kunda alleged that the new dawn government has never been consistent adding that it promised one thing and does the other.

He also accused new dawn government officials of enriching themselves than providing a service for the people of Zambia.

The opposition leader expressed disappointment that the country is going through economic hardships when some mines are on tax holidays and that the money from mine taxes can be channeled to subsidise electricity tariffs.

“It is very disappointing

FILE PHOTO: “President Hichilema is on record criticising the previous government regarding the electricity tariffs and promised to sort out these issues, but he has swallowed his words.”

that as a country we are passing through hardships when we have resources that can support by channeling to cushion the electricity tariffs but we have given foreigners to control our economy.

“Maybe they have interest in these companies that is why mines are not allowed to pay times and these huge sums of money can help the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Kunda accused the new dawn government of being incompetent for not having a listening ear.

He lamented that if government has been listening to the opposition, the country would not have reached the level where there is serious economic hardships.

He noted that the country needs a government and a leader that listen from other stakeholders in order to provide a service for the people rather than a leader who only makes personal decisions.