THE Zambian Breweries (ZB) Plc's new state-of-the-art beer plant in Ndola has commenced operations recording production figures of more than 5000 hectolitres of beer which has since been offloaded on the market.

The company's corporate affairs manager Yuyo Nachali-Kambikambi said the shortage of beer had been addressed.

"We have had several complaints on capacity, especially this festive season from our customers and this is just proof that we are here to make our consumers and customers happy. Over 5,000 hl has in just two weeks been offloaded into the market to sort out issues of shortages," Ms Kambikambi said.

And ZB managing director Anele Malumo has expressed hope that his company was now able to meet consumers' demands for beverages during the festive period.

Ms Kambikambi said ZB, which was a subsidiary of the SAB Miller group, was steadily on its way to operate at full capacity at its modernised one million hectolitre capacity Ndola plant.

She said there was no need for people to panic-buy beer because the manufacturer was now able to meet consumers' demand for its products with the plant which would officially be opened next year.

"Even as we wish our consumers and customers a safe festive season, we would, however, like to caution our consumers to kindly drink responsibly as some people have the tendency to abuse alcohol," she said.

Ms Kambikambi said ZB Plc cares about the harmful effects of irresponsible alcohol consumption and noted that alcohol was for adult consumption and not any persons under the age of 18.

ZB managing director Anele Malumo has expressed hope that his company was now able to meet consumers' demands for beverages during the festive period.

At the weekend Mr Mulumo led ZB members of staff to taste and officially release the first brew from the new plant onto the market.