By DELPHINE ZULU –

THE Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) has predicted increased production in the industry following reduced hours of load-shedding.
ZAM president Roseta Mwape-Chabala said the organisation welcomed the quick move by Zesco Limited because it was according them an opportunity to produce more for the nation.
Ms Chabala said ZAM was impressed with the move but needed updates from Zesco especially on how long it would take to help them plan on the acquisition of materials.
“We are happy with the quick action but we want to be informed on how long this will go on so that we can also plan on how much material we can buy to avoid it going to waste in an event that the power utility reverts to the old load shedding schedule,” she said.
She said although it was difficult to measure the impact of the move in the manufacturing industry now, it was vital to mention that there was no doubt that once sustained,  it would help contribute to economic development  in Zambia.
Zesco recently announced that it had reduced the hours of load shedding from eight to six hours following a rise in water levels in the Itezhi Tezhi Dam.
Senior manager for marketing and public relations Bessie Banda said the water levels at the water inflows in the Itezhi Tezhi Dam have improved and that Zesco Limited was now able to generate at full capacity.
Mrs Banda said the development coupled with power imports have made it possible for Zesco to reduce load shedding from eight to four hours daily.