The significance of the beer and alcohol industry in the social and economic set up of the Zambian economy can no longer be second guessed.
11 September 2020 was a very special day for many Zambians going by the excitement that was witnessed with many Zambians taking to socio media to appreciate the announced the Pilot Project of partial reopening of bars, night clubs and taverns across Zambia by President Edgar Lungu.
The Bars and Night Club Owners Association of Zambia (BANCOAZ) through their Secretary General, Edmond Lifewekelo told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT that the association has approached Lusaka City Council – LCC to start joint patrols to pro-actively bring to book those who disobey the guidelines issued by the president on how the partial re-opening of bars/night clubs should operate.
“We have already approached Lusaka city council so that we start holding some joint patrols to ensure that any bar or night club owner who does not adhere to the laid down guidelines is brought to book. We want to be proactive and ensure that we weed out any unacceptable behavior. We shouldn’t forget that we haven’t had income coming in from March 27 until now” Lifwekelo told ZBT.
“So this kind of behavior whereby we want to risk our industry being shut for the second time, will not be entertained. We shouldn’t be motivated by revenues in the short term, but look at how we can be sustained and remain open to avoid another shut down. We should be motivated by the good and service we provide for the greater society”, he said.
Lifwekelo on behalf of bar and night club owners thanked President for hearing their cry by partially reopening the bars/night clubs as this will help put food on the table not only for owners, but the employees and other support sectors that supply food, beverages and other services. We also urge all our members to coordinate with their councils in all provinces of Zambia.
He however, described the behavior of some members who did not follow the presidents guidelines as regrettable as the president has the powers to re-shut operations if he sees that there is no discipline and behavior among the bars/night club owners. So the onus is on us to ensure we put in place the necessary health guidelines to curb the spread of covid 19.
“Once again, we would like to thank President Lungu for partially re-opening the bars/night clubs. From what we observed as BANCOAZ over the past weekends, we think we are a bit disappointed with a few of our own members but the majority have done their best.
“We need as an industry to show that we are serious about remaining open, we observed that there are some few members who were closing their business premises as late as 03 hours in the morning when the president announced that it should be up to 23 hours, he said.
