admin“A small number of the improved and advanced version of the pre-payment meters is being installed at strategic sites to check on the preparedness of the power utility for the countrywide rollout exercise that will be embarked on once the relevant formalities of engaging a service provider are completed.
“The exercise will cover the whole country,” Mr Gwasira said.
In Bulawayo households in suburbs such as Luveve, Cowdray Park, Thorngrove and Paddonhurst already have pre-payment meters. The pre-payment meters are also being installed at city flats such as Hiran Court at the corner of Fife Street and First Avenue under the pilot project.
A resident of Luveve, who only identified himself as Mr Dube, said he had been using the pre-payment meter for the past two months and said he was now able to control his electricity consumption.
“I am now certain that I use the electricity that I need. I live alone and $10 is enough for my electricity a month,” he said.
A tenant at Hiran Court in the city, Mr Daniel Mlambo, said with the new system, he will be able to pay the exact amount of the electricity he uses unlike the amounts based on estimates they were paying over the years.
“I wake up in the morning and go to work and the only appliance that is on is the geyser but the amount that I have been paying is too much given that I hardly cook at home. For the past few months I have been sent bills based on estimates which ranged between $45 to $55 a month,” he said.
Mr Mlambo said the move to install pre-payment meters was therefore a very welcome development that will ensure consumers were not shortchanged.
He said the system will also encourage consumers to conserve power as they will be required to pay in advance for electricity.
However, a woman in the same flat who refused to be identified expressed scepticism over the new meters saying she would wait and see the benefits as past experiences with Zesa have taught her otherwise.
“For a long time there has been mistrust between us and Zesa, so I will just wait and see because there is always something amiss with each new system Zesa introduces.
“Zesa has to put its house in order and we hope this development will see reduced load shedding,” she said.
Her sentiments were shared by her neighbour who said the power company should give them assurances that the new system will improve service delivery.
In the past residents have raised concern over the power utility’s billing system which they said was in shambles.
Online Reporter