EIGHT HOURS LOAD SHEDDING WILL COLLAPSE BUSINESSES, WARNS SIULAPWA

SMALL-SCALE businesses will collapse due to the decision by Zesco to reinstate the eight hours load shedding, says the Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Zambia

The association’s chairperson, Mr Diamone Siulapwa said the small-scale entrepreneurs would adversely be affected by the loadshedding management schedule as most of them cannot afford to work in the night like big industries.

Mr Siulapwa claimed that Zesco did not consult the association when reinstating the eight-hour load shedding because this would only benefit big industries.

He said Zesco did not make wider consultations as they claimed because SMEs were not consulted. “I am at a loss of words. This schedule only benefits the big guys in industries and not those who are small time business people. Smallscale entrepreneurs should go up in arms with this decision,” Mr Siulapwa said.

On Monday, Zesco abandoned its four-hour staggered load management and reinstated the eight-hour load shedding schedule what it said would enhance stability and predictability in power management across Lusaka.

Zesco Spokesperson, Matongo Maumbi, said the decision to reinstate the eight-hour load management schedule followed challenges that were identified with in the previous staggered schedule. Mr Maumbi said Zesco was continuously monitoring and refining the load shedding programme to achieve an optimal balance between meeting its customers’ needs and managing its power resources efficiently. Zambia Association of Manufacturers chief executive officer Muntanga Lindunda was not available for a comment and referred this reporter to association public relations officer who was equally not available for a comment.