America deploys experts to Malawi for MCC energy project

The United State of America Government has deployed two experts to Malawi to support the implementation of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) multibillion energy grant which it is bankrolling.

The two are Oliver Pierson, resident country director and Jenner Edelman, deputy resident country director.

Pierson and Edelman already arrived in Malawi and have since assumed their assignments, according to a news statement issued by the US Embassy in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

The embassy says the arrival of the two will ensure a speedy start to implementation of the five-year MCC compact agreement between the two governments, originally signed in April 2011.

Pierson: In to boost MCC project for Malawi
Pierson: In to boost MCC project for Malawi

The statement says Pierson and Edelman bring to Malawi substantial experience from the MCC in US having worked to support the implementation of the Namibia and Morocco Compacts, respectively.

Further, the American Embassy observes that the experience amassed by the two will be instrumental in helping the country establish the MCA-M and meet the remaining requirements for the compact to enter into force.

The remaining requirement include development of semi-annual benchmarks for reform in the energy sector, a plan for a phased approach to tariff reform, and allocation of funding for a turnaround facility for the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM).

The two experts will be working directly with the Millennium Challenge Account Malawi (MCA-M), a government of Malawi entity that will implement the compact.

“In this capacity, they will provide support and oversight of Compact implementation tasks to MCA-M, help train MCA-M staff in how to work within the MCC model for development, and help develop systems and procedures for the MCA-M team, which is currently being formed,” says the statement.

The US$350.7 million (about K126.2 billion) energy grant is a single sector development programme which is designed to scale up income levels and reduce poverty by revamping Malawi’s power sector and improving the availability, reliability and quality of the power supply in the country.

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