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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WE NEED ANOTHER POWER COMPANY SO THAT ESCOM FUNCTIONS IN A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE STIFFER THE COMPETITION, THE BETTER THE PERFORMANCE.
OUR DEAR MPs, COULD YOU PLEASE REFINE THE POWER BILL TO CATER FOR ANOTHER POWER SUPPLY COMPANY?
The problem is not ESCOM rather the politicians who milk it for the selfish political gains. It started during the MCP era, continued during the UDF term of office and now during the so called DPP cum mu…. The same company given good learders and less individualism in running the company will perform better.
Not just one company we need so many of them just like cell phone companies.Its like moving five steps forward fifteen steps backwards.Buy big generators please
The oldman has failed together with his poor advisors.Palibe chimene chikuyenda apa.Ntchito blaming mitundu yina ya anthu than being a problem solver.We can’t wait for him to retire and he shouldn’t even waste time tampering the constitution.The man has totally lost popularity in Malawi.Muluzi anatibwelesera mavuto handpicking some useless people to lead malawi.Malawians should have their own choice for the leader than imposing some useless people for them.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE BLACKOUTS, THE RESERVE BANK GOVERBOR, DR. PERKS LIGOYA, SAYS THE YEARLY ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR MALAWI IS ESTIMATED AT 8% UP TO 2014. COOL AH!
KUPHIKA MA NAMBALA BAMBO. DZIKO TAGULITSA ILI AT A GIVE AWAY PRICE. THE GOODNESS IS ANY LEADER IN MALAWI WITH A NGWAZI TITLE IS NORMALLY OVERTHROWN WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY. WE ARE JUST WAITING FOR THAT MOMENT.
MOSE WALERO
When we say that corruption is evil, people of shallow minds take this lighly. ESCOM imployees cheat their families. ”Tsalani bwino tikupita kuntchito”. The first thing they do is to look for work that will palm oil them and not the core activities lined up. Now the devil is clever because he misdirects you and you get lost in the process. Zikatero, basi ntchito yako umayiiwala, nanga sikatangale umaonanso ngati ndi ntchito yodyetsa bwino. Unforunately what you get from ziphuphu, since it is through evil way, you do not prosper with it. Chomwe chimadabwitsa nchakuti lero, mawa ziphuphu koma osaoneka tsogolo lake. When you accumulate wealth out of katangale/ziphuphu, Mulungu amalandapo through, moto, kubedwa kapenanso ngozi zimene iweyo subvulalapo koma kuti uzizifunsa wekha kuti kodi zatere chifukwa ninji