Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Zesco Head Office Lusaka
The National Union of Energy and Allied Workers (NESAWU) says it is alarmed at government’s intention to privatise ZESCO and other State-Owned Enterprises as announced in the 2017 National Budget.
In a statement, NESAWU General Secretary Manson Mutambo says the evils of privatizing ZESCO far outweigh the benefits.
Mr Mutambo says ZESCO is a viable organisation whose cash flow and availability of materials have improved tremendously since the implementation of the pre-paid electricity metering system.
He says ZESCO should remain in the hands of government as a strategic company for economic growth and development.
He states that the private sector cannot be trusted to take electricity to rural areas due to their narrow focus on cost recovery and profits.
Mr Mutambo says that the intended privatization of state-owned-enterprises will throw over 58,000 workers into unemployment and poverty, adding that the country has learnt lessons from the privatization of ZCCM and other parastatals.
He says NESAWU would instead like to see more professionalism, transparency and none political interference in the way ZESCO is managed.
Mr Mutambo adds that the Indusrtial Development Corporation (IDC) should not be used to kill companies,but to create more companies and quality jobs through economic diversification.