Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO Kevin Hustler said; “The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber welcomes the news that NERSA has approved a reduced Eskom tariff increase of 16% for this year. The increase had previously been approved at 25.9% for the 2012/13 financial year, and the reduction represents a significant relief of the burden on business and consumers. It is also a very welcome indication that government is listening to the voice of business on this issue, which has a major impact on the ability of local industry to be globally competitive.
“The Business Chamber made a submission to NERSA in November last year on the municipal tariff increase for this year, and has lobbied hard on electricity tariffs at local and national level, in the interests of the sustainability of business in the city and the region’s ability to attract investment. It is clear that the active lobbying by organised business nationally and in the regions has been effective in ensuring that the interests of industry are taken seriously by national government.
“It is really pleasing to see that swift action has been taken since President Jacob Zuma’s state of the nation address last month, when he acknowledged the concerns of business and said he had asked Eskom to address how electricity price increases could be reduced in order to support economic growth and job creation.”
