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The Energy Regulation Board -ERB- has waived duty and fees for solar products to encourage more investors to enter the energy sector and help reduce the power deficit.
ERB Northern Region Manager Allen Polito says the move is aimed at increasing the capacity of private companies to contribute to the production and supply of energy in the country.
Mr. Polito says the fees and duty on these products were a hindrance to investors.
And Energy Permanent Secretary Reuben Zulu has directed all government departments and the newly created districts to install energy serving bulbs in all their buildings.
In a speech read for him by Copperbelt Assistant Secretary Paul Mulola during the launch of the Energy Week in Kitwe today, Mr. Zulu says installing energy saving lights will help reduce pressure on the national grid.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions -ZCTU- has proposed to government to prioritize funding to the energy sector in the 2016 national budget.
ZCTU Secretary General Cosmos Mukuka says government should focus on investing in alternative sources of energy like solar and wind energy in next year’s budget .
Mr. Mukuka says government should go further to zero rate duty on any imported energy generating and supplying equipment.
He has also urged government to consider buying fuel straight from the producers rather than buying through middle men a situation which the labor movement feels has led to the high fuel prices.
He was speaking at media briefing in Lusaka.
And in the mining sector Mr. Mukuka has also urged government to introduce legislative measures to ensure transparency.
Mr. Mukuka also proposed that the government should put in place comprehensive growth strategy that is anchored on internal resource mobilization, diversification of the economy and encouraging local entrepreneurship.
He also proposed that government should through ZRA put in place measures that will progressively help regularize the informal economy and widen the tax base.
