…says more Zambians likely to become drunkards due to load shedding
By Francis Chipalo
Democratic Union President Ackim Njobvu has warned that prolonged power outages will lead to increased alcohol consumption, potentially creating more drunkards.
Zesco’s reduced power supply, averaging three hours daily, is crippling businesses and households, with some Lusaka areas experiencing over 24 hours of load shedding.
However, some areas have reportedly gone for 72 hours without electricity since Zesco made the three – hour power availabity supply which it hasn’t delivered, leaving the public guessing.
And Njobvu says more Zambians are likely to become drunkards due to increased power outages as bars have become routine destinations for most people.
Njobvu notes that prolonged power outages have also affected households in communities around the capital city, affecting among others, water supply.
Njobvu who recently observed that the long hours of power blackouts had contributed to increased alcohol consumption among citizens has stated the current state of affairs will result in more people frequenting bars and similar drinking places where they get to access power to charge their phones and other electronic devices.
He says once in such places, people end up consuming alcohol.
“If you take a drive around the community, you will discover that people are drinking as early as 10 hours whilst charging their phones or laptops. Bars have now become offices for our people, but we don’t blame them, but government for failing to address electricty challenges,”he said.
“And this is why the Democratic Union, as clearly ensrined our party constitution, is emphasizing on the need to build a nuclear power plant as an alternative source of energy for Zambia because this solar that they have been investing in hasn’t yielded results. We need a sustainable source of energy,” Njobvu said.
Meanwhile, Njobvu has expressed sympathy with Zambians for loss of business due to lack of electricty.
The outspoken leader said most SMEs had their businesses shut down as a result, adding this is contributing to increased crime rate as reported in some parts of the city.
Njobvu has since asked Zambians to register as voters and make the right choice in 2026 by voting for a visionary leader as President of Zambia.
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