“Residents not Ready for Electricity Tariff Hike” – BPRA tells ZERA

Bulawayo residents, under the aegis of the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) on Friday 30 November 2012 told the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) that the residents of Bulawayo and citizens of Zimbabwe at large will not be able to cope with a hike in electricity tariffs. The residents were speaking at a meeting held between ZERA representatives and members of BPRA who included chairpersons from the association’s various committees across the city. ZERA is holding meetings with stakeholders across the country to get their input regarding a proposal by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to increase tariffs.

Residents told the ZERA representatives that residents would not be able to pay their bills if tariffs were increased due to the harsh economic climate in the country that was making it difficult for them to pay their electricity dues at the current rates. They argued that if there was a tariff adjustment, it would have to be downwards as service delivery by ZESA was appalling, and residents struggling to settle their bills. BPRA also used the meeting to register its dismay with continued load shedding in the country, and continued disconnection of residents with outstanding bills. The residents also argued that an increase in tariffs should be preceded by an improvement in quality of services by ZESA, not the other way round.

Regards

Information Department

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association

Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196

Cell: +263 773 788 183

Website: www.bprazim.org