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By LINDANI MASEKO | 2024-11-20
SOME senators have voiced their concerns regarding the proposed electricity tariff hike.
Senator Tony Sibandze particularly emphasised the impact of the proposed hike on the welfare of
Emaswati, especially those who might struggle to afford electricity.
He said access to electricity should be a priority, as it had become an essential utility in modern life.
Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Prince Lonkhokhela said it was unreasonable for someone to go to a shop to purchase essential items such as fruits, and then expect to take them without paying.
He said there were individuals who worked hard on farms to cultivate crops, tending to them and watering them.
“It is therefore unsettling to think that someone will expect to receive basic necessities for free, even if they were provided by God,” he said.
This was during the preamble of the natural resources second quarter performance budget report debate in the Senate.
Adding, Senator Sibandze said while water was recognised as a fundamental human right and was often provided free of charge, the commercialisation of water supply had changed its accessibility through modernisation.
He argued that the same principle should apply to electricity, a service that had historically been encouraged by government to be made available to all households.
“Water is a basic fundamental right. It is given to us by God,” he stated, highlighting that everything was now being commercialised.
Sibandze said when government promoted the initiative for every Liswati to have electricity, it was seen as a positive step. However, he cautioned that the current proposal to increase electricity could turn this initiative into a barrier for some citizens.
He gave an example of the elderly who relied on limited pensions and might struggle to afford higher electricity costs.
“While government assured that every Liswati will have access to electricity, the reality is that many may now find it unaffordable. We would like clarification on how government plans to ensure that all Emaswati can meet their basic needs for electricity and water,” he said.
Adding, Sibandze asked for clarity on what government’s vision for the next 15 years was considering the way electricity hiked.
He asked if electricity would be sustainable and affordable in the next few years.
Responding, the minister said the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) and Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) still had ongoing discussions about the same issue.
He said the tariff hike was for now a proposal, thus a decision had not yet been made as there were ongoing public hearings.
“Our government embraces innovation and creativity to adapt to the evolving country’s landscape, which has changed significantly over the past 15 years,” he said.
He noted that the electricity payment system had transitioned from a post-paid model, where consumers paid for electricity after usage, to a prepaid system.
This shift allowed consumers to pay for electricity in advance, enabling them to monitor their consumption through a customer interface unit equipped with a keypad and screen, thus granting them greater control over their energy usage and expenses.
The minister emphasised that these innovations were crucial for improving the quality of life for Emaswati and meeting contemporary needs.
On that note, Senator Chief Prince Ngangabani also expressed his concern about EEC not responding promptly to problems that require their attention.
He said it was quite unsettling to seek assistance regarding an EEC-related issue only to receive a delayed response.
“You sometimes wonder when you report an issue to EEC only for them to respond three days later, asking if you were the one that called for assistance and if you received any,” he claimed.
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