Malawi risks ‘failed state’ declaration: CEDEP lambasts govt on electricity, water woes

Malawi is rapidly deteriorating into failed-state status and would be declared so failed should the persistent water and electricity woes currently rocking the country not be abated, a local human rights watchdo has said.

Trapence: Malawi really is at the limit, risks becoming a failed state
Trapence: Malawi really is at the limit, risks becoming a failed state

Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), a local non-governmental organisation focused on promoting and defending human rights, said in a statement  made available to Nyasa Times on Monday signed by executive director, Gift Trapence,  that it strongly express their displeasure with lack of any visionary leadership in the management of the persistent water and electricity challenges.

“Water shortages and electricity blackouts have become the norm and not the deviation in recent times,” CEDEP said. “ This is happening despite the fact that the water and electricity tariffs are way too high for most ordinary Malawians.”

The statement added: 2 What is even more disheartening is that the government, which is responsible for the supply of water and electricity, is not forthcoming with any credible and tangible information on any possible solutions to the water and electricity woes.”

Lack of visionary leadership

According to the organisation, the country’s present scenario displays lack of seriousness and visionary leadership which the DPP government “promised” during the campaign period.

“For example during the rainy season we are normally told the water shortages and electricity blackouts are caused by the mud that gets into the supply pipes and the dams. What about now during summer? The water and electricity challenges have been there for a very long period of time. Of course, they are getting worse as days go by,” adds the statement.

Malawi continues to experience intermittent water and electricity supply despite the country having a lot of natural resources which can support the supply of the same. Malawians continue to suffer in enduring long hours and days without any water flowing in their taps and electricity.

 Solutions possible

Cedep argues persuasively that the problems can be stopped.

“We all remember how persistent water shortages used to affect citizens of the city of Zomba and surrounding areas in the early 1990s.But a solution was found and water was tapped from Mulunguzi Dam from the Zomba Mountain. Today, water shortages in Zomba are history. Why can’t the same be done with the other cities? For instance Lake Malawi is only 100km from the city of Lilongwe.

“With Kamuzu dam drying up, why can’t there be deliberate efforts to harvest the water resources from the Lake and consequently end the water woes in Lilongwe City? Does the government have any plans be it short term or long term to invest in piped water systems? Again in the city of Blantyre, why can’t the government utilize the water resources that are found only 66km kilometres away on Mulanje Mountain?” questioned Cedep.

Woes violation of rights

Cedep pointed out that the woes are a violation to the people’s human rights and are crippling the country’s economy by far.

“In denying people access safe and clean water as well as electricity, the government is grossly violating the right to economic activity, the right to education, the right to health and consequently the right to life. Officials entrusted with the task to manage the utility companies need not to bury their heads in the sand thinking the problems will disappear on their own.

“The manufacturing sector and other large scale businesses that contribute a larger portion to the GDP to our economy which is already in a very sorry state make a lot of losses due to water and electricity shortages. The production rate has been reduced by over 60 percent as people who require electricity everywhere including in offices that offer services to Malawians like passports and driving licenses remain idle for the better part of the day,” the statement further reads.

It adds: “Malawians indulging in small scale businesses such as operating barbershops, salons, video centres and other business requiring water and electricity are also suffering. It is our sincere hope that the government acts on these issues with utmost bravery immediately for the benefit of all Malawians that entrusted it to run the affairs of this country on their behalf.

“ This is a crisis of colossal magnitude and requires serious attention from the government. The government needs to come out clearly on how it intends to avert these problems.”

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santana
santana
7 years ago

Winston Msowoya, I have now known that all your comments are done blindly just because you are not witnessing things on the ground since you have said that you are not living in Malawi. I would advise you to come and stay a month or two and go around the country and hear what people say about the parties in Malawi. It is from there where you will find out that you are just wasting your time if you think your rhetoric on Nyasa Times can move DPP supporters from APM to your Kamlepos or whoever will stand for northerners… Read more »

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Mr. SANTANA,Iam not the type of a person who is interested in verbal rhetorics with brainless morons.You have asked me now that Malawi is a failed State,what next? The answer is that DPP,has failed to deliver the goods and it must be removed from power.2: If DPP abandons power,I strongly support the UDF to get in and form the government on condition that Atupele steps down as Malawi is governed by a Republican Constitution and not a Monarchy Constitution.Malawi belongs to all Malawians and not the Muluzi dynasty or the Muthalika dynasty.Mr.Santana,for your information, you better control your stinky mouth,… Read more »

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Iam pretty sure that DODOLIDO is a deranged idiot who comprehends absolutely nothing and he must be thrown into hyenas for their snack. By the way Communism does not feed its people,but it encourages them to work hard on their fields,industries,factories and many other establishments.The government comes in when nature flexes its muscle for instance,lack of rains,floods and other unpreventable calamities like in Malawi where rains were scarce for a while as a result crops wilted unprecedentedly resulting in severe shortage of food and it is under this situation that the government comes in to feed its people by importing… Read more »

santana
santana
7 years ago

Winston Msowoya, now that Malawi is a failed state, what next? If it happens that the leadership resigns, which party leadership can lead Malawi to its satisfication? Choose from the existing parties so that we assess each of them. Do we have any strong party in Malawi? Or is your MCP ready to lead Malawians with all the internal squabbles it is experiencing? APM can not be proved a failure because of the problems facing the country because these problems have been there long time ago and during all the four govts before this one. So don’t take us as… Read more »

be humane
be humane
7 years ago

Trapence, when will you write from updated thinking? You mean iwe sunamve zonse zakhala zikuchitika kuti boma litenge madzi ku mulanje zija? Where were you? Inu nomwe a Nyasa munalemba story yoti a Chaponda athamangitsidwa ku Mulanje ndi anthu okwiya kuti sakufuna boma litenge madzi ku mulanje. Why not educating the Trapence. Mufunse Plan ya Lilongwe water board yotenga madzi ku Salima ku Nyanja kuti target yawo iri liti? Basi kufuna kuti Boma likachita mudziti munawapatsa nzeru ndi inu? Foolish thinking trapence pitiriza mathanyula ako aja. By the Way Who will declare Malawi a failed state? You remember you gave… Read more »

Chikwanje
Chikwanje
7 years ago

Did we not warn you Malawians against putting in the driving seat a man who clearly demonstrated cluelessness in running government affairs before becoming president. At the moment I doubt very much if he is concerned with the state of affairs on water and electricity. All we hear is that ” I have fulfilled my campaign promises kwambiri”. Its pathetic that in a land full of resources not available in other countries we fail to think and make good use of them. Mukufuna kuti Mulungu atani? Abwere pa dziko kudzakukonzerani zinthu. Shame on you. So I maintain my stand that… Read more »

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Malawi is not risking becoming a failed State,but rather is already a FAILED STATE.There is no big difference between Malawi and Zimbabwe or Somalia.The Nation that fails to feed its own people,lack of medicines in the hospitals,bedbugs making patients restless in their beds,uncontrolled crimes and corruption,unemployment is astronomically high,tribalism has dangerously become a norm the list is long,and all these anomalies,are found in failed States.In Malawi right now,we are lacking progressive leadership and unless,we halt electing leaders on basis of tribalism and regionalism,we are heading to the political and economic oblivion detrimental to the wellbeing of our entire populations.GOD SAVE… Read more »

Dodolido
Dodolido
7 years ago

Why should government feed ‘its’ people, is this a communist state? Malawians are just lazy and stupid!

Opals
Opals
7 years ago

Spot on CEDEP! Public services are in such a sorry and pathetic state. The Fragile States Index already lists Malawi as “High Warning” with a Public Services score of 8.1 out of 10 ; where 10 means total failure. Economic Decline is at 8.6 out of 10. We are for sure making steady progress down the failed state path. No wonder productivity is so low and we are topping the poor countries list. Your suggestions are practical; only if there was political will. These fellas are satisfied sharing spoils and wallowing in power whilst everyone else descends into poverty. Unless… Read more »

kingston bumushark myomyomyo
kingston bumushark myomyomyo
7 years ago

Just trying to impress the donors that you are working, how can the whole of you with your NGO raising issues and solitions that the government is already solving

Becks
Becks
7 years ago

Kingston you seem to know what Government is doing to solve the problems rocking this failed State. Can you share with us How and by when should we expect these problems to come to an end?

Bullshit
Bullshit
7 years ago
Reply to  Becks

Dont mind him mate.

POLY POLICE
POLY POLICE
7 years ago

Stupid bootlicker and hand clapper

Suffering Malawian
Suffering Malawian
7 years ago

Thanks Trapence on this. The current status of social service provision in the country is inhumane and at worst point; water, electricity, health and education. It is a manifestation of poor and greedy leadership. While tax and donor money (whatever form and amount) is being collected and received few elites (politicians and associated technicians) continue to benefit on behalf of the country/majority. Enough is enough, there is a need to push these sleepy leaders to act. We cant continue to blame the past. They need to be seen leading to a right direction. the current leadership has failed us. the… Read more »

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