By Daily Star Reporter
The increase of connection fees from K1,700 to K6,995 and from K750 to K6,000 respectively is nothing but pure capitalist corporate madness in a population were 65% of the population lives below USD $2, Jackson Silavwe has said.
Leader of the opposition Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) said the country has finally jumped from the frying pan into the fire with the UPND Government in as far as the cost of living is concerned.
Silavwe said this in a statement issued to the media today.
“Growing up in Kamuchanga, Mufulira in the 90’s, having amailaiti/ electricity was pure luxury. Koloboi/paraffin lamp is what sustained us until power was connected in 1995, We became the few in the neighborhood that had electricity at B.C 160. The increase of connection fees from K1,700 to K6,995 and from K750 to K6,000 respectively is nothing but pure capitalist corporate madness in a population were 65% of the population lives below USD $2,” he said.
“As a country, we have finally jumped from the frying pan into the fire with the UPND Government in as far as the cost of living is concerned. Such interventions show that there is no attempt at critical thinking by those leading us. Looking at the fact that ZESCO is in the process of increasing tariffs, we should have been moving towards zero connection fees especially that electricity is a daily expense.”
Silavwe said a lot of people have been pushed into poverty with no relief at all.
He called on President Hakainde Hichilema to arrest what he termed as wild corporate madness of increasing everything.
“With a food basket for a family of 5 standing at plus K9,000 we have officially pushed many of our people into poverty with no relief at all. I appeal to President Hakainde and his Cabinet to arrest this wild corporate madness of increasing everything,” he said.
“The damage these moves are causing cannot be quantified in monetary terms. We need a Government with a Zambian human face. UPND Government is now sentencing our people to a lifetime of poverty with the high cost of living.”