The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) in collaboration
with National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) and Communications
Authority of Zambia (CAZ) on 3rd March 2007 launched the five Consumer Watch
Groups (CWGs) from Ndola, Kitwe, Chingola, Luanshya and Mufulira at Edinburg
Hotel in Kitwe. The CWGs are expected to act as
contacts with the communities in which they operate in terms of monitoring the
performance of undertakings in the energy, telecommunications and water and
sanitation sectors.
They will also follow up on
unresolved consumer complaints with respective service providers. Additionally,
the CWGs will sensitize the general public on energy, telecommunications and
water and sanitation issues such as the need to pay for consumed services and
avoiding illegal acts such as vandalism of installations.
During the launch, ERB acting
director for Infrastructure and Operations Regulation, Mr. Lukonde Mfula called
upon service providers to work closely with CWGs especially in resolving
outstanding consumer complaints.
NWASCO and CAZ both expressed
happiness at the launch of the CWGs and hoped it would strengthen community
participation regulatory issues.
Meanwhile, Coordinator for the
former Kitwe Water Watch Group, Joseph Tuntepe said he and other members of
former Water Watch Groups were ready to work under the new arrangement which
entailed enlarging the group and working with two other regulators in addition
to NWASCO.
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