Wed, 23 Aug 2017 12:50:18 +0000 Why are Ministers defending the Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) in the “Electricity” impasse which may lead to the loss of 4,000 jobs in addition to the drastic losses in production? We find this extremely puzzling, considering that Mopani is partly owned by Government through ZCCM-IH. Firstly, it is common knowledge that CEC does not produce power. Power is generated and transported by a Government controlled parastatal, Zesco. Secondly, CEC is a private company, which wholesales Zesco generated power to the mines at a premium under very specific agreements, among which is a provision for dispute resolution. As we understand, CEC has unilaterally restricted power on account of a disagreement over the rates being applied. CEC could have invoiced arbitration as required by the agreement but chose instead to restrict this power and disrupt production and endanger jobs, why should Government support this action when other less drastic remedies exist? […]
