REDUCTION OF LOAD SHEDDING HOURS A GOOD GESTURE

Dear editor,

Zambia is currently experiencing power deficit which has culminated into prolonged load shedding. The problem was exacerbated by low water levels owing to poor rainfall during the 2018/2019 rainy season.

Load shedding could last for fifteen hours per day in the past. The prolonged load shedding adversely affected the economic activities in the country. Productivity in the manufacturing sector was affected because firms could not produce on a large scale.

Enterprises such as welding, hair salon and barbershop, among others were also affected. Domestic consumers were not spared from prolonged load shedding either.

However, Zesco has announced the reduction of the number of load shedding hours from fifteen hours to ten hours. This will be done on a national rotational basis.

The reduction of the load shedding hours has been necessitated by the full resumption of power generation at Maamba Colliers Limited.

In reality, the reduction of load shedding hours is a good gesture; it will foster economic activities in the sectors which were adversely affected. It is the wish of everyone that the duration of load shedding can reduce further.

All said and done, Zesco amid reduced load shedding hours has cautioned electricity consumers to continue adhering to energy-saving measures. These include switching off bulbs in unoccupied rooms, switching off appliances that are not in use and use energy-saving bulbs, among others.

ELEMIYA PHIRI Lusaka