By Jane Chanda
Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) president Ashu Sagar says the limited availability of fuel in bulk quantities is significantly hampering the manufacturing sector’s ability to sustain operations, despite the Energy Regulation Board’s (ERB) efforts to stabilisee fuel supply.
Daily Revelation sent a query to ZAM in which the newspaper sought to know some challenges faced by Zambia’s manufacturing sector regarding fuel supply, particularly in light of persistent load-shedding and power supply interruptions.
The newspaper also wanted to find from ZAM how the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) could address the limited availability of fuel in bulk quantities for industrial users, and what mechanisms could be implemented to support uninterrupted operations.
It also wanted to find out policy changes or collaborative efforts to be undertaken by ZAM, ERB, and other stakeholders to ensure a reliable and efficient fuel supply system for Zambia’s manufacturing sector, driving economic growth and resilience.
In response to the query above, Sagar acknowledged the ERB’s measures to address current market challenges, including managing price fluctuations and securing fuel availability, which reflected an understanding of the strategic importance of a reliable energy supply.
Sagar stated that manufacturers across Zambia were increasingly reliant on diesel-powered generators due to persistent load-shedding and power supply interruptions, yet the current fuel supply system restricted access to only retail quantities.
He stated that this restriction imposed operational delays and increased costs on industrial users who required substantial volumes of fuel to power their operations, making it inefficient for them to access fuel only through retail channels.
Sagar stated that the manufacturing sector was a vital contributor to Zambia’s economic growth, creating jobs, fostering local content, and strengthening the industrial base, underscoring the need for urgent action.
“The manufacturing sector urgently needs access to fuel in wholesale quantities or dedicated bulk supply points for industrial use to secure uninterrupted operations and support productivity and economic resilience,” Sagar stated.
He also called on the ERB to facilitate mechanisms addressing this critical challenge.
“We look forward to ongoing dialogue with the ERB to secure the necessary support for Zambia’s manufacturing community, ensuring local manufacturers continue to play a vital role in driving Zambia’s economic growth,” added Sagar.
