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Questions remain on power charges
2008-02-27 09:02:10
By Editor
So, with or without the highly contested huge amounts of money the government continues to pay emergency electricity supply companies in capacity and other charges, the recently hiked power tariffs are here to stay!
For that, in summary, is the bitter and sad news the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has for a public that had hoped that, with the Richmond and related riddles gradually being deciphered, they would cough up less in power service line connection fees and consumption charges.
Tanesco managing director Idris Rashid says the most he could promise is that they will do whatever will be in their power to keep the power tariffs from rising any further.
And that, the flattering phraseology notwithstanding, essentially means that Tanesco is far from impressed by public pleas for mercy and only some more highly placed authority could come to the rescue of the poor wananchi.
At this particular point in time, we feel compelled to repeat what we have said a number of times before – that, at the rate things are moving, the benefits of electricity supply will elude ever-rising numbers of our people.
And indications are that the worst hit will still be the rural areas, which accommodate at least 80 per cent of the country`s population of an estimated 36 million.
According to Dr Rashid, who is held in high esteem in national, regional and international management and administrative circles, there is no way tariffs would drop unless oil and gas prices fell and there was enough rain to guarantee constant power supply.
It definitely makes much sense to listen to reputable experts like the Tanesco chief, particularly when they are commenting on issues on which they are understood to ``know the onions``.
However, even the least knowledgeable of lay persons would easily feel like wondering whether Dr Rashid`s elaborate explanation is all the truth there is to the level of electricity tariffs in use in Tanzania.
The predominant feeling among ordinary power consumers is that there are various non-economic factors that have been forcing Tanesco to keep reviewing tariffs upwards, partly for its own survival.
The most commonly cited factors include what many see as the inexplicable failure by the company to put in place a mechanism to ensure that all its customers – without exception – pay their bills on time and in full.
The only condition here is that the bills should be accurate and, in the case of non-LUKU customers, posted as promptly as circumstances allow.
There have also been fears that the State-run firm could still be suffering from the hangover of the `great` parastatal era during which inefficiency, lack of accountability and abuse of public office were not always viewed as enemies of development.
It is upon Tanesco to prove that these fears are baseless.
By the way, does Dr Idris Rashid know that one person could pay for a power service line that would later serve five or more other people?
Surely, there should be some saving there – or would it not matter?
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