BY GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY CORRESPONDENT
5th January 2014
Says it`s not a problem
Investigations by The Guardian on Sunday reveal that the national power utility body loses at least Sh 287,940.20 by supplying free power to each of its over 5000 workers nationwide, who are entitled to 750 units of electricity per month.
Initially the workers used to pay only Sh 6.90 per unit translating to Sh 6,31350 for the 750 units of power per month instead of Sh 206,901.02 paid by other members of the public.After some time, according to insiders, the management introduced new charges, compelling the workers to pay Sh 9.60 per unit, totaling Sh 8,784 for the 750 units per month, much lower than Sh 286,724.40 paid by normal consumers.
“Despite being costly to the organization, the workers get all their units every month, and in most cases the units accumulate. They continue using them even upon leaving the organization,” said an insider who declined to be named.
The privilege is available for TANESCO workers countrywide living in own houses or renting whole housing units, and are not supposed to share electricity with tenants. When such sharing occurs the amount of power used is much higher.
Speaking with The Guardian on Sunday in an exclusive interview recently, TANESCO Acting Public Relations Manager, Adrian Severin, confirmed that the company is doing this as motivation to workers in like manner as other companies motivate their staff with the products or services they sell.
He refuted claims that the tendency overburdens the cash strapped company, leaving critics wondering how much money the national power body loses if one staff member is entitled to Sh 287,940.20 of free electricity and lack of supervision could vastly enhance amount.
“It is true the company motivates its workers by providing them with 750 units whereby the company and workers share the cost,” the manager stated, not explaining how the amount is shared.
In a quick response, EWURA also blamed TANESCO over the huge burden on consumers, saying the regulatory authority had told them not to issue free units to company officials and other staff.
EWURA communications manager Titus Kaguo, participating in a television talk show, said EWURA had told the TANESCO management to stop providing free electricity to their workers.
“TANESCO workers are supposed to pay electricity like other people in the community because they are using electricity, so from what I know they are paying for electricity bills unless they have changed it,” he ventured to suggest.
“I remember last time they brought an application requesting for tariff increment that was turned down it also mentioned that company officials were being given free electricity,” he affirmed.
Informed sources assert that company officials often extend the use of free electricity for various other purposes, including collecting charges from tenants in houses they rent out.
A senior TANESCO official living at Mwananyamala in the city used his free electricity access to sell to his tenants and has connected a family member with the free electricity.
PR manager Severin argues that the company was losing lots of money by providing power to five regions, namely Kigoma, Katavi, Ruvuma, Lindi and Mtwara using generators, at a cost much lower than the production price.
EWURA allows the company to sell one unit at sh. 221 so in each unit the company loses about sh. 529, he said, elaborating that TANESCO is doing business but lacks a promotion policy to customers.
“The Electricity Act of 2008 provides the company with responsibility for facilitation and regulation of generation, transmission, transformation, distribution, supply and use of electric energy,” the manager noted.
It is also charged with cross-border trade in electricity, the planning and regulation of rural electrification and to provide for related matters,” he added, implying that TANESCO is supposed to work more or less freely, unlike how things are done at present.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY
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