Nationwide blackout hits Malawi
Published: November 21, 2009
Nationwide blackout hits Malawi
Malawi was plunged into total darkness Friday night in a continuing economic turmoil.
Authorities could not explain the reason for the nationwide blackout as President Bingu w Mutharika’s government faces continuing accusations of economic and infrastructure neglect of the country of 13 million inhabitats and growing urban centres.
Malawi has been experiencing frequent abrupt power outages which in some cases have forced surgeons at hospitals to turn patients away from their scheduled surgical operations until the country’s sole electricity utility company, Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) stabilises supply of power.
The situation is exacerbated by an excruciating shortage of foreign exchange capital to buy fuel energy imported through neighbouring Mozambique. The economic decay in crucial sectors is starting to be apprent, particualrly in the major cities of Blnatyre, lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu.
For the first time ever, for example, this week saw the first ever stoppage of broadcasting on state radios MBC Channels I and II; and on the state owned Television Malawi (TVM).
There is also scarcity of fizzy drinks in Malawi’s supermarket outlets. As well, water taps have run dry forcing people to walk long distances to fetch for water.
President Mutharika run on a campaign of sound economic management, but things look more difficult to implement than to campaign about.
“The president has failed us,” said one urbanite in the city of Zomba. “I voted for him so that he can make this country progress economically. But how can we progress if the factories do not have electricity and water to manufacture their products,” lamented the mother of three.
Such whispers of discontent are starting to be heard widely despite Malawi being a regime run mainly by fear of the government.
Malawi was plunged into total darkness Friday night in a continuing economic turmoil.
Authorities could not explain the reason for the nationwide blackout as President Bingu w Mutharika’s government faces continuing accusations of economic and infrastructure neglect of the country of 13 million inhabitats and growing urban centres.
Malawi has been experiencing frequent abrupt power outages which in some cases have forced surgeons at hospitals to turn patients away from their scheduled surgical operations until the country’s sole electricity utility company, Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) stabilises supply of power.
The situation is exacerbated by an excruciating shortage of foreign exchange capital to buy fuel energy imported through neighbouring Mozambique.
The economic decay in crucial sectors is starting to be apprent, particularly in the major cities of Blnatyre, lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu.
For the first time ever, for example, this week saw the first ever stoppage of broadcasting on state radios MBC Channels I and II; and on the state owned Television Malawi (TVM).
There is also scarcity of fizzy drinks in Malawi’s supermarket outlets. As well, water taps have run dry forcing people to walk long distances to fetch for water.
President Mutharika (pitured) run on a campaign of sound economic management, but things look more difficult to implement than to campaign about.
“The president has failed us,” said one urbanite in the city of Zomba.
“I voted for him so that he can make this country progress economically. But how can we progress if the factories do not have electricity and water to manufacture their products,” lamented the mother of three.
Such whispers of discontent are starting to be heard widely despite Malawi being a regime run mainly by fear of the government.
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