Mutharika blames past govts for electricity, water woes in Malawi

President Peter Mutharika has blamed past governments for the current electricity and water problems facing the country, saying they did not invest much in the two sectors.

Mutharika said this in Salima where he officially opened a sugar plant, Salima Sugar Factory.

“I am not to blame for the current electricity and water problems, not at all. The past governments failed failed to make investments in electricity and water sectors. I repeat, my government is not responsible,” said Mutharika.

As he spoke around 3pm, most parts of the Capital City, Lilongwe did not have electricity and water and Escom was flighting advertisements on radios of apologising for power blackout elsewhere.

Malawi has an average of three hours of electricity every day and in Lilongwe water is available once a week.

Mutharika however said he would be commissioning the coal powered electricity plant at Kammwamba and water from Mulanje Mountain next month, saying this would ease the problems the country is facing.

He said the Salima Sugar Factory will employ atleast 3000 people, especially the youth thereby cutting down on an unemployment.

Mutharika assured the investors that Escom has assured of electricity availability.