Reduced load-shedding cheers stakeholders

By JAMES KUNDA, KENNEDY MUPESENI and CHATULA KANGALI –

CONSUMER bodies have praised the Government for stepping up measures to ensure stability in the supply of electricity and the subsequent reduction in load-shedding hours by Zesco.
The reduced load-shedding hours from eight to four has been necessitated by increased water levels at the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam of Central Province.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) praised interventions that the Government had lined up which would help stabilise access to electricity and the general economy.
ZACA executive director Samuel Simutunda said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that his association was convinced that the Patriotic Front (PF) had scored a first on its promise to meet the country’s energy demand.
“We are very elated with the news that load-shedding has now been reduced from eight hours to four hours and, in some instances, people are even going a whole week without interruption in power supply.
“Government indicated that by mid this year, electricity supply would improve and I think that it has scored a first on fulfilling its commitment to the people,” Mr Simutunda said.
Zambia National Association of Saw Millers (ZNAS) president William Bwalya said the reduction of load-shedding hours by 50 per cent would reduce the cost of producing timber, among other benefits, in the country.
“When we were experiencing load-shedding for eight hours in a day, we operated at half capacity and spending a lot of money to process wood into timber. With the reduction of load-shedding hours by half, time and money will be served,” Mr Bwalya said.
Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) president Nathan Chishimba said the reduction in load-shedding hours would increase the predictability of planning and decision-making in the mining sector.
“The Chamber of Mines is encouraged by reports that there will be an appreciable improvement in power supply nationally, as this will increase predictability and stability of planning going forward.
Mr Chishimba said reduced load-shedding would help improve the business environment in the mining sector.
Metal fabricators and wood processors interviewed separately in Kitwe were also optimistic that the reduction, if sustained, would enable industries to increase production.
Angel Kakoma, who operates Kakoma Enterprises, a metal fabrication workshop in the second class trading area, said a drop in electricity power cuts would result in increased production.
Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) chairperson Andrew Chintala was also optimistic that the reduction in power cuts would help trigger price drops in mealie meal prices, as production levels would increase significantly.

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