ZESCO Limited Managing Director, Eng. V.B Mapani says the power company requires over a US$108 million to dismantle the new connection backlog which stood at 67,000 as at 31 December 2021. Mr. Mapani explained that with the available resources, the company has so far reduced the backlog to 27000 with plans to totally dismantle it by end of 2022. Mr. Mapani was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today. Mr. Mapani says the company has made significant gains to reduce the debt owed to Independent Power Producers following successful negotiations with Maamba Collieries Ltd and Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation. Mr. Mapani said arising from the successful negotiations with Maamba Collieries, the power supply invoice has been reduced to US$16.5 million from US$25 million per month.