‘Use alternative energy to survive’

By MAILESI BANDA SMALL and medium scale businesses should embrace alternative energy sources for them to stay in business after ZESCO effected the remaining 25 percent terrify increment last week.

Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Associations, chief executive officer, Moto Ng’ambi said using alternative energy sources would help the sector stay in business.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Nation, he said using alternative energy sources like solar would help them maximize production costs and be competitive in the sector.

“The increase in electricity tariffs has the potential to get some SMEs out of business but to remain competitive there is need for them to embrace alternative energy sources like solar which could initially expensive but prove to be cost effective in the long ran,” Mr Ng’ambi said.

He said solar solutions are the best option to maximise production adding that the increase was a source of concern and would increase the cost of production though there was need for businesses to implement cushioning mechanisms to with stand challenges.

Mr Ng’ambi said people should be consistent in their businesses and seek solutions that will help them survive the different challenges that the business could be faced with.

He stated that cost fluctuations were part of the challenges that businesses needed to survive through.

Mr Ng’ambi explained that for businesses that depend on power the changes will be affecting that sector adding that in order to survive in business there was need for them to be consistent regardless of the constraints.

On Friday 1ST September, ZESCO effected the remaining 25 percent of the approved 75 percent on electricity tariffs.