By JULIET MAKWAMA
THE new dawn administration must ensure the restructuring of Zesco did not lead to privatization because putting the electricity sector in the hands of the private entities may have disastrous consequences, Economic Front (EF) has advised.
EF Copperbelt Chairperson Fewdays Nsensema said energy was a major component determining economic growth thereby affecting general citizens.
He said among other reasons, government announced that Zesco Limited was being restructured to enable the power utility recover arrears owed to it by KonkolaCopper Mines KCM amounting to more than US $174 million.
“Leaving such an important establishment in the hands of the private sector will not pay as the ultimate interest will be maximizing on profits,” he said.
“We want to urge the UPND government that if the process of disbanding Zesco is meant to sell or privatize it, they should halt the process because it is not in the best interest of Zambians. Privatizing such a strategic asset will be a disaster to the growth of the economy as the private sector will attach national importance to the economic support that ZESCO offers to the country and their interest will be profits,” Mr Nsensema said.
He says the private will not align their operations to the economic plan of the country but will be maximizing on profits.
Mr Nsensema said the new dawn administration needed to also consult heavily with Zambians to ensure the Zesco restructuring was not used for political expediency.
“There is need to hold a consultative process and get views from Zambians because the UPND was basically employed by Zambians to manage the affairs of the country, hence the need to consult citizens on how ZESCO should be restructured,” he said.
The Industrial Development Corporation recently intimated an imminent restructuring of the power company through an advertisement which has seen been cancelled.
