By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –

THE Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has warned of increased job losses due to the increasing load shedding currently being experienced in the country.
ZACCI President Geoffrey Sakulanda said many industries would not be able to keep the workforce at optimal levels because they would be forced to reduce production due to limited power.
The country is experiencing unprecedented levels of power outages that have been caused by reduced water levels arising from inadequate rainfall in the last rainy season.
Mr Sakulanda said in an interview yesterday that most companies had lost millions of Kwacha due to reduced production hours from the time the load shedding started.
He called on the Government to quickly put in place measures that would help mitigate the current situation by giving incentives that would attract more investors in the energy sector.
“There is need for the Government to consider relaxing the tax structure for the country to be attractive to more investors so that they can start setting up their businesses in the energy sector,” he said.
He noted that the recent increase of fuel price by the Energy Regulation Board had only worsened the situations.
Most companies have resorted to the usage of generators to continue with their production but the recent increase would result in high production costs.
He, however, appealed to the industries to take courage and focus on the future as the situation was not permanent.
Government has recently authorised Zesco to import power and complete all unfinished power generation projects to boost electricity supply.
President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has also advised Zesco to load shed power equitably instead of favouring the elite.
Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Democratic Republic of Congo to invest in construction of more hydro-electric power stations on the Luapula River.