Atupele articulates Mutharika’s vision for Malawi ‘rebirth’: Launches Escom service charter

As if to add credit to reports of a ‘governing pact’ between UDF and DPP,  Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Atupele Muluzi  – the UDF president – used the launch of Escom customer service charter at Crossroad Hotel in Lilongwe on Thursday to articulate the vision of President Prof Peter Mutharika.

Atupele: Set out to deliver on Mutharika’s overarching vision
Atupele: Set out to deliver on Mutharika’s overarching vision

Muluzi, said the government is set out to deliver on Mutharika’s overarching vision, which he said is to bring about people-cantered economic growth at the rate of 7.5 % in the next 5 years.

“Our President speaks of inaugurating the rebirth of our nation, the lost dreams of our forefathers and fallen heroes. He speaks of pursuing our dreams that know no limits, no boundaries, and no skies. He has asserted that we declare ourselves ready for the next 50 years,” said Muluzi, adding “we therefore, cannot miss the opportunity to do so.”

In the same mode and delivery he made when he touted an ‘agenda for change’, Muluzi said over the past months, the Mutharika administration has had the opportunity to listen hard to what ordinary Malawians want and are saying.

“Malawians care for their country and they want it to prosper as well as assume its rightful place among other giants and economies within the region and beyond.  Secondly, Malawians (especially the youth), want their economy to grow inclusively and to be guaranteed jobs, access to services, among others. Third, Malawians want inclusive and transparent institutions that ensure that resources invested in key sectors such as energy are used for their intended purpose,” he said.

Muluzi said his Ministry will soon unveil its four year energy plan which amongst others seeks to upgrade the transmission and distribution systems to reduce energy losses and improve both energy efficiency and transmission interconnections to diversify supply sources.

It will also increase the efficiency and capacity for electricity generation through the construction of new power plants.

He said the plans seeks to stay on course to meet maximum demand of 700 MW by 2018 and cater for needs of domestic customers expected to rise by 1 Million in 2030 and this includes extensive roll-out of the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) across the country.

Muluzi said the plan will establish critical fuel reserves in major cities of the country.

It will also reform power tariffs and address inefficiencies such as by ensuring 100% collection of bill payments, better recovery of costs, maintenance, distribution losses and capital budget execution.

“The Energy plan, once launched, intends to ensure that my Ministry delivers on its priorities within the context of the plan and delivers them well. Demonstrates results and that it is held to account for those results,” said Muluzi.

Muluzi said public services are not a privilege but they are “a legitimate expectation” that is why government recognizes the need for institutions to optimize access to their services to all Malawians, within the context of fiscal constraints and competing needs.

He said ESCOM has developed a Service Charter at a point where its installed capacity is just enough to meet its demand.

Muluzi said with high urbanization and growth in the housing and construction sector, ESCOM needs to embark on its expansion and rehabilitation programme for both transmission and distribution networks to be ahead of the game.

“My Ministry will give ESCOM all the support required to supply reliable, quality power and to improve its service delivery.  The energy sector is a catalyst for economic change and transformation,” he said.

Muluzi said government longs for a day when ESCOM will eliminate blackouts or load shedding, a day when customer connections to power is done within 24-48 hours and indeed a day when the country will have “Power all Day every day” and Not “Moving towards Power’, saying “that is the day when the citizens of Malawi will have enhanced confidence in the services of ESCOM.”

He acknowledged efforts ESCOM is undertaking to improve service delivery and in its quest to supply reliable power to the country, saying the efforts will significantly contribute to the growth of the economy.

“I am delighted that ESCOM has embarked on this journey to improve service delivery and promote accountability to its stakeholders through the introduction of the Customer Service Charter,” he said.

However, he said the improvements in ESCOM’s service delivery may not happen overnight as it is a process that requires patience and support from all stakeholders.

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Usher
Usher
9 years ago

Ung”onoungono womweo chalakwikanso mchani go ahead baba tili pambuo panu

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9 years ago

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wachiona ndani
9 years ago

Thanks Atupele. Zisankho zikatha anthu onse a dziko limodzi amayenera kubwera pamodzi ndi kutukula dziko lawo. musamvere ma devil enawa ai.

Ma germans ndi ma British anamenyanapo koma lero akugwirira ntchito limkdzi ngati EU memberstates bvuto palimbe.

lekani mabodza. muluzi go konko mwera ituykuke ndi dziko lonse la malawi lione kuti APM ali ndi mtima wachizungu osamvera mabodza.

MABVUTO MALIKEBU
9 years ago

MALAWI

The Patriot
The Patriot
9 years ago

There goes “Agenda for Change”!!! Gone with the winds of greed! Have you Atupele that some poor soul in Mangochi died because he strongly believed that DPP stole the vote and was shot while demonstrating the May 20 results? How do you repay such a martyr? Joining with fraudsters to develop what? Your pockets and family ambitions of course! Zavuta ndi ngongole kapena za campaign?

Mbwiye wapata
9 years ago
Reply to  The Patriot

A baby dyera ngati mwadya

mill
9 years ago
Reply to  The Patriot

Nanunso a Number 31 Nzeru mulibe eti? inutu ndianthu aja oyambitsa ziwawa zandaletu pano zinatha chatsala ndichibale basi ngati ukufuna za milandu kampute J.Kabwila uone nyekhwe . APM go AUM go izi nde ndale zachizungu izi.

Wggondwe
Wggondwe
9 years ago

Mzuzu towards getting darker by the day,search me if am wrong

Jelbin mk
Jelbin mk
9 years ago

Atupele us simply known as a political prostitute

hotlips
hotlips
9 years ago

Those who understand the Agenda for Change will note that now UDF is starting to implement its policies within the government framework. Keep it up Atupele.

WISDOM MWANZA
WISDOM MWANZA
9 years ago

My fellow Malawians, it is organisations like ESCOM which are helping the establishment of corruption in this country. This organisation has forced Malawians to become corrupt people because if you need services from them, you have to oil the palms of their workers. Unless their bosses are very blind, they know what is happening. Most of leaders for ESCOM are not fit for purpose. Rather than boring us with what his boss is thinking, Muluzi should be busy cleaning this polluted organisation. If we Malawians are serious about corruption, we should look at this organisation very seriously rather than conforming.… Read more »

Chipapwiche
Chipapwiche
9 years ago

An agenda for change that had no agenda and brought no change!

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