Wed, 30 Aug 2017 09:33:21 +0000
…AS ERB STEPS IN
By Bennie Mundando and Violet Tembo
COPPERBELT Energy Corporation (CEC) will be summoned by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to explain its role in the impasse with Mopani Copper Mines which has led to the loss of 1,000 jobs.
According to the Electricity Act no. 433..(9) no operator shall lessen or discontinue the supply of electricity stipulated in any contract of supply unless the consumer has failed to pay charges lawfully due or failed to comply with conditions of supply.
The Act further states that failure to carry out contract of supply by an operator wilfully or without reasonable cause lessens discontinues the supply of electricity in any contract of supply, the Board, may, affording the operator an opportunity to be heard on the matter, suspend the licence.
ERB Executive Director, Ms Langiwe Lungu has told the Daily Nation in a statement that her organisation was conducting a cost of service study through Economic Consulting Associates (ECA) of the United Kingdom in partnership with a local consulting firm, Utilink, to independently determine the actual cost of supplying power to each customer category, including the mines.
“The results of that study will be key to the determination of electricity tariffs in future,” she said. The impasse with MCM that has led to the loss of over 1,000 jobs through cancellation of more than 300 contracts.
Meanwhile miners are shocked and disappointed with Government failure to resolve the impasse between Mopani Copper Mines and Copperbelt Energy Corporation.
The miners have appealed to President Lungu to intervene and secure jobs of the miners whose fate now hangs in the balance as the mining company downgrades its operations.
They noted that in spite of a court order instructing CEC to restore power, nothing had been done.
Speaking to the Daily Nation, the miners accused the ministers of not being concerned with their welfare.
One of the miners, Mr Elias Banda, said anxiety had gripped the workforce at the mine and most employees felt their jobs were not secure.
“We as miners are concerned and disappointed with our government. It has become too political. Ministers have come in but no solution. Investors are fighting over a battle the government knows well,” Mr. Banda said.
Mr. Banda said politicians should help employees and not take advantage of the suffering of the affected people for political gains.
“We as miners are concerned and disappointed with our government. It has become too political. Ministers have come in but no solution. Investors are fighting over a battle the government knows well,”he said.
