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with the costs for power on consumers, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Energy and Power Development Minister, Elton Mangoma said work was also underway to introduce pre-paid meters so that people pay for what they consume.
“A person will choose whether he wants to use electricity to cook mazondo for the whole day or for other uses, we will be providing as much electricity as possible to those who can pay,” he said in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.
Minister Mangoma was responding to a question from Pelandaba-Mpopoma MP, Mr Samuel Khumalo (MDC-T) on the ministry’s position regarding Zesa which he said was forcing clients without meters to pay bills in full yet there was massive load shedding.
Mr Khumalo also wanted to know what the minister was doing regarding Zesa tariffs which he felt were unaffordable to many Zimbabweans.
Minister Mangoma said the cost of electricity per unit was determined in light of what was sustainable for Zesa. “The current tariff is the lowest in the region; already it’s not possible to say this tariff can be sustainable in the future,” he said.
Responding to another question Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche said the leasing by Air Zimbabwe of Zambezi Airlines planes was aimed at maintaining passenger confidence despite the fact that the national airline did not get meaningful returns from the venture.
He said it was difficult to retain passenger confidence once an airline withdraws completely because it takes six months to rebuild confidence.
The minister said operational losses for the airline had surged but all efforts were being made to find a partner.
“In financial terms, Air Zimbabwe did not make full financial benefit due to the IATA billing system, where we have been suspended. But from a bigger picture, it managed to maintain its presence on its traditional routes,” said Minister Goche.
He was responding to a question from Chinhoyi MP, Mr Steward Garadhi on whether the leasing of Zambezi planes was beneficial.
Minister Goche said he would soon officiate on a ground breaking ceremony at the new Sebakwe bridge in Nharira near Chivhu.
He said traditional leaders together with local politicians had convened a function to celebrate the construction of the bridge and it was not a Government function.
He was responding to a question from Chikomba Central MP, Mr Moses Jiri (MDC-T) who wanted to know why Chikomba West MP, Cde Mike Bimha (Zanu-PF) was allowed to preside over the ground breaking ceremony.
Mr Jiri wanted to know whether Cde Bimha sought to gain political mileage or was officially appointed by the ministry.
Online Reporter