• The move serves as a much-needed lifeline for the business community, particularly SMEs.
• The recent 20 days of eight-hour power interruption, wreaked havoc, causing significant damage and business losses.
• ZESCO should continue engaging with stakeholders and exploring innovative solutions to address the underlying issues contributing to power outages.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Association of Zambia says ZESCO has taken a commendable step forward by implementing a staggered eight-hour daily load-shedding program for residential areas in Lusaka, effective today 1^st April, 2024.

Association Chairman Daimone Siulapwa told Money FM News that the move serves as a much-needed lifeline for the business community, particularly SMEs, which were on the brink of closure due to the previous prolonged load-shedding periods.

Mr. Siulapwa noted that the recent 20 days of eight-hour power interruption, wreaked havoc, causing significant damage and business losses.

 “The advocacy efforts of many citizens, calling for shorter load-shedding durations or a staggered approach, have not gone unnoticed. Their relentless pursuit of a solution has yielded tangible results, demonstrating the power of collective action and citizen engagement.”

“The revised load-shedding schedule, which entails two power outages of four hours each, spread throughout the day, aims to minimize disruption while providing some semblance of stability for businesses and households,” Mr. Siulapwa noted.

He added that by allowing for a single uninterrupted eight-hour block of load-shedding with 16 hours of full power supply, ZESCO recognizes the critical role they play in the nation’s economy.

“While it may not completely alleviate the challenges posed by power outages, it represents a step in the right direction towards finding a more equitable and sustainable solution. This tailored approach enables better production planning and helps safeguard the livelihoods of countless individuals employed in these sectors.”

“However, as we express gratitude for ZESCO’s responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, it is essential to acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. While the implementation of staggered load-shedding is a positive development, it begs the question of why such measures were not implemented earlier to mitigate the extensive damage caused by the previous prolonged load-shedding periods.”

He advised ZESCO to continue engaging with stakeholders and exploring innovative solutions to address the underlying issues contributing to power outages.

In response to stakeholder concerns, ZESCO Limited has today 1st April 2024 implemented a staggered 8-hour daily load shedding program for residential areas in Lusaka.

This entails that each area will experience two power outages of four hours each, spread throughout the day with an aim to minimize disruption.