Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) says Zesco’s decision to give its domestic and commercial customers a COVID-19 Relief Package will greatly improve people’s living standards.
Association Executive Secretary Juba Sakala told Money FM News in an interview that the move is worth commending because most consumers’ disposable income has been affected by the pandemic, hence the relief will make a difference in their lives.
Mr. Sakala observed that most people have lost their jobs, while others are on half salaries as a result of the Coronavirus which has disrupted business operations, therefore making it difficult for consumers to pay their electricity bills.
“Most consumers lost their jobs and others were put on force leave and these companies lost business because people didn’t have money to buy their products and became so difficult that people would pay the bills in time, and some of them their bills accumulated to somewhere they couldn’t afford.”
“When Zesco has come in to suspend their bills it’s a good move because now they have part of their burden has been lifted,” Mr. Sakala said.
He advised consumers to ensure they invest the money they were supposed to pay to the utility company into profitable ventures in order to generate income.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sakala has advised consumers not to stop paying their electricity bills now that the power utility firm has come to their aid, but that they should continue fulfilling their obligation in order to make the company sustainable.
“Zesco has done its part now as consumers let’s not stop paying our bills because of this issue, let’s continue paying to make Zesco sustainable,” he advised.
ZESCO limited has given its domestic and commercial customers a COVID-19 Relief Package to cushion the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on selected low-income households and small businesses.
The Power utility company has also cancelled all accrued fixed tariff charges worth K46.3 million for customers on residential and commercial Tariffs.
According to ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mundende, the three-fold relief package cancels all accumulated fixed tariff charges for over 71-thousand customers, adding that it also suspends recovery of accumulated outstanding debt for prepaid customers.