JOB LOSSES LOOMING

….as energy expert Boniface Zulu discloses that many companies are planning to cut down on human resource due to economic hardship coupled with load shedding

VAROUS companies are on the verge of cutting down on the human resource due to the just introduced long hours of load shedding because they will be unable to make meaningful profit.

Energy expert Boniface Zulu said many jobs are at risk because companies will no longer operate at full capacity, hence most workers will be laid off.

Mr Zulu said the government should have started load shedding with a few hours then increase gradually.

In an interview, he said government should therefore expect many people being thrown on the street thereby increasing unemployment levels in the country.

Mr Zulu said the situation should have been avoidable if the power utility company invested in other sources of energy unlike depending on hydro power generation as it has disadvantages especially in time like this when the country is affected by the drought.

He said the country’s economy will dwindle further as the economic activities will reduce.

He said that the long hours of load shedding will result in reduced industrial output as companies will be forced to cut on production, leading to a decrease in GDP.

“There will be increased operational cost as businesses have no option but resort to expensive alternatives like generators, thereby increasing the cost of goods and services.

So, the public need to exercise a mindset change as the over-dependence on Zesco has made ordinary Zambians vulnerable to the fluctuations in power supply.

“There is a growing need for energy independence were members of the public can start producing their own power using solar, bio-gas and other renewable sources so that households and businesses can ensure a constant power supply,” Mr Zulu said.