Minister Kaliati clashes with MP Lunguzi in Parliament over claims ‘ESCOM management full of Dedza people’

Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development  Patricia Kaliati clashed with opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member for Dedza East Juliana Lunguzi in parliament  when she claimed power untility provider Escom which is blaimed for persistent black-outs has management with people from Dedza.

Lunguzi:  I do not know if this country can really develop with this attitude
Lunguzi: I do not know if this country can really develop with this attitude
Kaliati: Escom management full of Dedza people
Kaliati: Escom management full of Dedza people

Kaliati raised the issues when Lunguzi was making contributions in the House and citing energy woes and Escom that is struggling particuallry because of ruling party politicians who are on crusade for assets stripping and wrongful enrighment.

But Kaliati fought back saying it incorrect for Lunguzi to be referring to what is happening at ESCOM as political, “knowing that the whole ESCOM management is coming from her district? [Dedza]”.

First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje said Lunguzi “was just expressing her views” and felt she did not warrant such accusations from Kaliati.

In her reaction to Kaliati claims, Lunguzi said: “I don’t know who the management of ESCOM are and they can tell us.  The comment that is coming from the Minister just shows how we, as Members, don’t take things seriously in this country.  Something is wrong, and the Minister is reflecting on an individual that people are coming from Dedza.  In this House where we belong.”

She demanded Kaliati “to bring evidence” on her claims.

In her contribution, Lunguzi said most of the statutory corporations are full of politicians, which makes it very difficult for them to become efficient.

“If you go to ESCOM and water boards in this country, you will find that politicians, governors, constituency chairpersons are filling these boards, Madam First Deputy Speaker. I do not know if this country can really develop with this attitude. I therefore request that government should listen and appoint board members who can deliver in this country,” said Lunguzi.

“Malawi is for all of us.  We can continue with the status quo or we can choose to change in the name of the reforms that we have been touting as a country. At times, we seem to turn a blind eye to the calamities that are befalling us right in our midst here,” she said.

Lunguzi said the issue of electricity crisis is serious.

“This afternoon I was visiting a lady, Nomande, not more than 40 years of age, a local entrepreneur and she is doing a good job as a seamstress.  She told me that she is almost giving up because she cannot manage to operate buying fuel at K300,000 per month and  averaging K10,000 a day on fuel.

“This is what is happening to all of us due to intermittent power supply. Barber shops, maize meals and saloons cannot effectively operate due to persistent power outages.  We talk about increasing entrepreneurship in here; it is unfortunate that, as a country, we are not focusing on what is happening in these statutory corporations.”

Lunguzi told the House that challenges facing ESCOM, mostly it is political interference.

“ESCOM is doing a wonderful job and trying their best,” she pointed out.

She also pointed out that ESCOM bought 100 new cars in the past three months, saying “one wonders how they can buy new cars when indeed we are struggling like this, as a country.”

 

 

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charlie companyero
7 years ago

BOSCOM CREATES JOBS Positive about Malawi! His Excellency, the State President, Professor, Arthur, Peter, Mutharika, Woyee (all protocol observed) has complained that the media is reporting only negative stories about his reign. Let’s do something about it! The Boscom (Black Out Supply Company of Malawi) is creating many jobs in spin off sectors. For instance in solar electricity. James Banda, a supply salesman, says: First I sold energy savers, so people could save on their energy bills. But now the BOSCOM is making its slogan true: Black Outs, All Day Every Day. So my clients cannot use the energy savers,… Read more »

Rasta
Rasta
7 years ago

I think this woman called Lunguzi is bright. Mi Nah like MPs like kaliat who reason in the reverse. We need people who can deliver in this country. DPP is full of morons who are there just to enrich themselves and think not of the poor.

Amalawi ndioyipa
7 years ago

Paja ma nurse tu amakhala mahule kapena afiti. Unfortunately Juliana is both thats why sakwatiwa. Akweni musalimbane naye huleyu wachepa nzeru zache ndizachibwana. A MCP alibe strategy other than mudslinging. DPP 2019 boooooma.

Luka
Luka
7 years ago

‘”ESCOM is doing a wonderful job . . .” she [Lunguzi] pointed out.’ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!!! Which planet do you live on, Madam?

Frank Kumwenda
Frank Kumwenda
7 years ago

Triberism is killing our beloved country you heard yourself from the horse mouth instead of solving the escom’s problem you are pointing each others fingers about where one is coming from. As a minister we are expecting unity speeches not deviceve speeches as you are serving all Malawians regardless of where one is coming from, then why were you against people who were calling for federal system of government? whilst on the other hand you are the one who is pushing for regionalism. That tribal remarks are tarnishing the image of DPP government, thats why recycled politician are killing Malawi… Read more »

Chakwanuleka
Chakwanuleka
7 years ago

This Kaliati woman is dull and stupid to say the least. Besides, the level of discussions are above the comprehension of a primary school teacher like kaliati. Thats why we have always said that ministers must be appointed on merit. She is in her position because she is a lhomwe and now thinks that that’s how it is for everyone. This is shameful to Malawi government and DPP in particular for having ministers who can’t articulate issues meaningfully and sensibly.

The Patriot
The Patriot
7 years ago

Is there anyone in Malawi who is suprised that Patricia Kaliati said what she said? That is a caliber of a person who has been and still is a minister for most of the past 20 years. No wonder Malawi is in the state where it is now and will remain so!!

winston msowoya
winston msowoya
7 years ago

The Hon.Phd Kaliati,let us face the fact that if these Dedza people are hundreds of them with desired qualifications,so let it be,they are Malawians.Now,Malawians can prove that the leaders are the ones who are openly encouraging and supporting the animal TRIBALISM.kaliati or any other Minister has not been heard condemning the APARTHEID STYLE OF QUOTA SYSTEM tribalistically imposed on the people of the North for decades now.Always,the truth prevails and the people believe what the senior Minister says.It is politically incorrect if the leaders do not condemn the wrongs in one Region and on the same issue,condemns the other,this is… Read more »

Chilungamo Chimawawa
Chilungamo Chimawawa
7 years ago

Kaliate is insane, all Malawians know this fact

john
john
7 years ago

I agree that Kaliati is insane. That cement she puts in the face is a chemical in nature, that can not be eaten. But the same chemical finds its way into the cell and tissues of her body. If that happens, chances are high the chemical can affect her brain and goes insane. She can not look good only if she feels in the absence of that chemical in her face. I do not think if that is only put in her face.

Dengulanga
7 years ago

If Malawi is going to change for the better later alone ourselves as individuals, let us start talking issues rather than where people come from. We have been this route for too long and it has brought us shit that we currently have because when the DPP have nothing else to offer , the only backward argument they can use is defer to where people come from. It is fact that all of cannot come from one area. There would be no need to have a country but one district. The issues about ESCOM, that Lunguzi is raising are a… Read more »

mfula zinkhwali
mfula zinkhwali
7 years ago
Reply to  Dengulanga

Is ESCOM performing? NO! Last night Zodiak reported that the connection to Mozambique is a pipeline dream. Kaliati is a politician as such she thinks politically, while Lunguzi is a logical thinker. The two ladies gives the observer a chance to see what our leaders are made of and stand for.

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