2024-11-06

Political Commentators call for the reshuffle of Boards in Energy Sectors

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By Antony Isaiah Jr

Social and Political Commentators have called on the state President to reshuffle the boards in energy sectors, Electricity Generation Company (Egenco), Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) and Power Market Limited (PML) for failing to deal with insufficient Electricity Generation.

Since the destruction of Kapichira Hydro-power Station earlier this year, Malawi continues to experience intermittent blackouts due to insufficient power generation.

Reacting to the worsening of the situation, Humphreys Mvula and Ernest Thindwa have urged Dr Chakwera to consider reshuffling the boards in Escom, Egenco and PML and replace the existing one with others who could handle the situation perfectly.

The two have also blamed the President for appointing the statutory corporation board positions on political appeasement.

“The current boards have failed the Malawians. These intermittent blackouts are evidences. The entire management needs to be replaced. They have completely lost direction,” said Humphreys Mvula.

“The appointment to statutory corporation board positions are driven by political appeasement. They are not driven by the merit. Political expediency seems to take precedence as Boarders are, in many cases, reduced to an arena for rewarding party loyalists, ” said Enerst Thindwa.

Meanwhile, speaking at a meeting with the joint committee of Parliamentary committees on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Public Accounts, Legal Affairs and Trade, Industry and Tourism, Power Market Limited (PML) chief executive (CEO) officer Rosemary Mkandawire said the country is not investing much in the energy sector hence the problem of power outages.

Mkandawire said electricity access in Malawi is still very low and there is need for improvement.

Mkandawire disclosed that electricity access in Malawi is at about 11 percent on grid while other countries are moving towards 100 percent access. She says there is need to invest more in the power sector to improve on infrastructure and services.

She has called on members of Parliament to give a thought about the proposed electricity tarrif hike. She says there is need to consider a viable option between having lower tariffs while still facing power challenges or allowing tariff increment to improve on services and secure the future.

She adds that improving the power sector will attract investments that will create jobs for the youth but also boost the economy.

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