Heritage party leader, Kateka, criticises UPND over ZESCO’s inconsistent power schedule

New Heritage Party (NHP) president, Chishala Kateka, has dismissed Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo’s concerns over ZESCO’s inconsistent power supply schedule as belated and misplaced.

In a statement on Friday, Kateka said the issues Matambo raised should have been addressed at least two years earlier and ought to focus on the suffering of consumers rather than the ruling United Party for National Development’s (UPND) popularity.

“If the UPND prioritised the needs of Zambians, their popularity would be guaranteed, and they would not need to worry about their waning appeal,” she said.

She noted that it was “a very sad observation” for Matambo to state that ZESCO’s failure to adhere to load-shedding schedules was making the government unpopular.

Kateka argued that governance based on populist decisions had cost the country dearly, adding that the current power rationing was the worst Zambia had experienced since independence.

She said the UPND administration had explained that ZESCO was tied to contracts it could not easily withdraw from, which meant Zambia’s power had been servicing neighbouring countries at the expense of citizens and economic growth.

“Zambians have come to accept this, albeit resentfully,” Kateka said, noting that in other countries experiencing load-shedding, utilities provide planned schedules that inform customers in advance of the duration and timing of power cuts.

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