World Bank takes over responsibility of Kapichira Hydro Power Station rehabilitation

The World Bank has taken responsibility on the delay of the completion of the kapichira Hydro Power Station rehabilitation saying the project has not gone as originally planned.

Six months ago, the International Financial institution, World Bank approved a credit of US$60 million to Malawi to rehabilitate and reconstruct the Kapichira Hydro Power Station that was damaged by Cyclone Ana and Gombe induced floods with the aim of drastically reducing power cuts that the country is experiencing currently but the work is yet to be completed and World Bank said they are working on rectfying the hurdles that they have been facing.

“We recognise that the World Bank’s support to the rehabilitation of Kapichira Hydro Power Station hasn’t gone quick enough and we do take responsibility as a Bank. The project has not gone as originally planned but we will rectify that.

“A new country director is taking this in hand and hopes that we can catch up on the delays but the responsibility is on us as the Bank,” quoted World Bank Vice president for Eastern n and Southern Africa, Victoria Kwakwa who disclosed the development to President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera when they met in Washington DC, United States of America on the sidelines or the US Africa Leaders summit.

Kwawa also said the Bank is Commission to the Mpatamanga Hydro Power Station project and looks forward to how theu work closely with Malawi Government in curbing the power outages that the country is facing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo, who also attended the meeting welcomed the Bank’s commitment.

”They undertook to complete the works on Kapichira by December but due to other factors for which they take part of the blame, we were not able to commission it in December, but what is encouraging is that they took part of the blame but have committed that we could be ready with Kapichira by April,” said Tembo.

On the Mpatamanga Power Project discussion, Tembo said the government was looking forward to its progress.

She explained that the expectation is that once commissioned, Malawi will be able to get additional 350 megawatts of power.