New broom at embattled Escom, exit Mwapasa enter Dr. Chiwaya

1. Thanks for the reminder a A Chiaale (Chisale?). Correct, both Bingu and Muluzi did something on power generation. Even Joyce Banda did something – very minimal though. Remember that Kamuzu had already developed Kapichira and Wovwe in terms of infrastructure by the time he stepped down from power. Muluzi and Bingu just placed the turbines and Joyce Banda just launched what Kamuzu (had constructed) and Bingu had established (inserting the turbines). Much of what Muluzi did was launching what Dr. Banda had already established.

   I still remember the function during which Muluzi launched the Wovwe plant. The man of the moment on that day was a Karonga businessman who also happened to be the opposition MP (AFORD?) of Wovwe area – the late Kampunga Mwafulirwa. When he rose up to speak during that function, he reminded him (Dr. Muluzi) that he must not take pride in the Wovwe Scheme and the electricity plant because they were both established by Dr. Kamuzu Banda. The crowd rolled in laughter and in agreement with the late Kampunga. This annoyed Muluzi and the entire UDF leadership. They took the microphone from him and forced him to sit down. From this day Muluzi and his team did not allow any opposition member of Parliament to speak during government or party functions. This has continued to this day. You rarely hear an opposition MP speaking during a government function unless he/she is compromised in one way or another.

   In case you did not know, here is the entire history. Correct me someone if I am wrong.

   1. Nkula A (24 mw) – Commissioned in 1966 by Dr. Banda
   2. Tedzani 1 (20 mw) – commssioned in 1973 by Dr. Banda
   3. Tedzani 2 (20 mw) – commissioned in 1977 by Dr. Kamuzu Banda
   4. Nkula B (60 mw) – commissioned in 1980 by Dr. Kamuzu Banda
   5. Nkula B (20 mw) upgrade – commissioned in 1986 by Dr. Kamuzu Banda
   6. Nkula B (20 mw) upgrade – commissioned in 1992 by Dr. Kamuzu Banda
   7.Wovwe (4.5 mw) – commissioned in 1995 by Bakili Muluzi after Dr. Banda had finished all works by 1994 and and had installed turbines
   8. Tedzani 3 (51.3 mw) – commissioned in 1995 by Bakili Muluzi after Dr. Banda had finished all works by 1994 and had installed turbines
   9. Kapichira 1 (64 mw) – commissioned in 2000 by Bakili Muluzi after Dr. Banda had completed all works by 1994. If anything Muluzi installed turbines and commissioned it.
   10. Kapichira 2 (64 mw) – commissioned by Joyce Banda in 2014. However, Dr. Banda had started the works by 1994. However, in 2010 – 2012 Bingu completed the works and installed the turbines before he died. When Joyce Banda took over in 2012 she launched what Bingu had already finalized.

   The APM government has so far not done anything on power generation. It is now that we are hearing about the Kammwamba Coal Plant, solar power and diesel generators. It is historically wrong, however, for APM to tell the public that nothing was in the past 50 years on power generation. In my view, it is UDF, DPP and PP who did not do much on the matter. These parties have generally used ESCOM as a cash cow for political activities.

   So, yes, Acheya did something and he needs to be recognized for this. The fact remains though that much of what he did was just launching what was left by Dr. Banda’s MCP. So, the MCP government still stands tall in as far as power generation in Malawi is concerned.

   Good day,

   Kent Y.G. Mphepo – Blantyre (0888435629)

2. evelyn wafera chilungamo these people wants someone they would easily be manipulating kuti adziba dollar ku escom and they have just realised that they chose a wrong a person

3. Chiwaya is by any definition a failed manager. I don’t know how anyone can bring him back to ESCOM. May be because it had to be someone from there or here

4. My advice to Dr. Chiwaya. Think of using coal as the primary source of energy. If you can read the reasons why George Bush refused to sign the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, it will give you a direction.

5. Countrymen, I don’t think that it is a matter of being Llomwe, Chewa, Yao, Ngoni, No. Where we are things have moved from bad to worse. And, in my view, Evelyn Mwapasa, one of the greatest citizens of this great Republic is just a sacrificial lamb in the entire tragedy Malawi finds herself in. I was privileged to be among those who were invited to participate in a consultation forum between ESCOM & EGENCO on one hand and CSOs on the other. This is where, I think, things are:
   1. While the national power demand hoovers around 350 mwattes EGENCO can only generate 160 mwattes. This means that the country is only able to access half of what it needs. The root cause of all this is that a) aging generation equipment. Some hydro- equipment was installed by Dr. Banda’s MCP government in the 1960s and 70s b) environmental degradation which has resulted in siltation and reduction of water levels in Lake Malawi and, consequently, Shire River where most of the generation takes place. There is inadequate water to drive the turbines at Nkula, Tedzani and Kapichira.

   2. Since Malawi adopted multi-party politics in 1993, successive governments i.e. Muluzi’s UDF (1994-2004); Bingu’s DPP (2004-2012) Joyce Banda’s PP (2012-2014) and APM’s DPP (2014 to date) have not made any significant investments in power generation. From 1966 Kamuzu’s MCP developed Nkula 1, Nkula 2, Tedzani 1, Tedzani 2, Tedzani 3, Tedzani 4 and Kapichira 1. Between 2010 and 2011 Bingu made some investments at Kapichira and the machine was inaugurated by Joyce Banda during her reign. Since that time no further investments have been made in power generation. Today, the equipment has aged and government has no money to repair these equipment. Besides, the plants are heavily suited.

   3. When competitive politics came to Malawi in 1994, young, poverty-striken “ruling” parties, (UDF, DPP, PP), faced with the asset-rich and highly experienced MCP, have tended to use state-sponsored companies, particularly water boards, MACRA, MRA, and ESCOM, as cash cows for money with which to campaign against the MCP. MBC has been used as their public relations carrier even when those parties are abusing state funds and entities. To effectively do this these parties have ensured that their boards are in the hands of political surrogates and stooges. Corruption, cronyism, tribalism and regionalism have found their way into these organisations as by-products of the politicisation drive. It is in an effort to cover up these political shinangans from the public @ 6666that they (politicians) have tended to employ staff using the backdoor and only employ people they have trust in. Those from their tribe, region, family, political parties, crony group, etc. were easily given lucrative jobs – usually without the prequisite experience or academic or professional qualifications. Today, we have many strategic state institutions that are being run by unexperienced and poorly trained individuals resulting in very poor service delivery to citizens. Electricity is just one of the many of such services. Others being water, internet, taxation, health, etc.

   4. Professionals, such as Evelyn Mwapasa, Betty Mahuka, etc. at ESCOM and EGENCO have tried to do their work in a professional manner but their efforts have usually failed because they usually find themselves outnumbered and outpaced by those who are politically well connected and informed. There have been a lot of efforts to improve power-generation to supplement hydro systems. For example, at one time solar pannels were installed at Capital Hill in Lilongwe with support from the Chinese government. But in less than a year all pannels were stollen by politically connected people and no efforts were made to recover them. The Kammwamba Project in Balala has also stalled because “government” (politicians) have refused to handover the project to professional hands at EGENCO and ESCOM. It is politicians who are at the centre of this project. There have also been efforts to engage external players in power generation. It has been argued by professionals and donors that bringing in new players in the power generation sector will create competition and competition will improve the quality of services. However, politicians have never wanted ESCOM to have competition. Actually, the formation of EGENCO was one way of blocking external companies from the power generation business. The truth of the matter is that EGENCO is still operating in the armpits of ESCOM. Are you surprised that it is ESCOM that has been processing the purchase of the controversial emergency generators? Are you surprised that up to now ESCOM is still involved in power generation using solar panels, diesel generators, etc even when such duties fall under EGENCO’s mandate? There is a lot of room for transferring political pocket money to parties/politicians through power generation than power distribution. Politically connected giants in ESCOM circles are, therefore, not ready to relinquish generation to EGENCO. This will become more difficult as we approach 2019. Why this the situation I personally don’t understand.

   So, do we want to solve power problems in Malawi? Here are my views:

   1. Solve the environment degradation problem. Bring back forest reserves that were ruthlessly guarded by the Dr. Banda’s MCP government: Ndirande Mountain Forest, Majete, Chongoni, Dzalanyama, Ntchisi, Chimaliro, Vipya (Chikangawa), Vizala, etc. Protect catchment areas of all water bodies: lakes, marshes, rivers, mountain tops, etc. Harvest water that is just going down to Zambezi in Mozambique. Make dams on Rukuru (North and South), Bua, Dwangwa, Songwe, Lilongwe, Thuchila, Naperi, etc. Stop people from cultivating along river beds and banks and on Mountain tops like Soche, Mgingwe, Kaning’inya, etc. Introduce the National Environmental Day. Declare tobacco a “protected” crop and enforce the law on environment management in the sector.

   2. Start investing in power generation. Replace all equipment that was planted by Dr. Banda’s MCP government. There should be tough laws to regulate national investment in electricty and other energy sources. There should be a tough law to protect the environment

   3. Political parties that don’t have sources of steady funding must not contest in elections. Party cards, (like those issued by Dr. Banda’s MCP) must come back so that members must contribute to the running of their parties. How those cards will be sold should not concern us since the country has laws that must be followed. But parties must not run on government coffers.

   4 In 2019. voters must ensure that parties that have brought us to where we are namely: UDF, DPP and PP are not given power to run this country again since they have not made any investments for their operations despite stealing so much money from government. They have been parasites on the national economy. They are bound to repeat the culture of national plunder.

   5. Should MCP go back to power in 2019 they should not take Malawians for granted. They should discard the software that has shaped politics in the past 25 years. They need to desist from the culture of theft, rent seeking, patronage, etc. They need to learn from Dr. Banda’s MCP that invested for the future. They need to discard “nkhaza” and other human rights abuses but focus on national development like their forefathers did. Of course, they can go back to court to claim back Press Corperation. Getting back Press will help them stay away from abusing Account No.1 and utility companies such ESCOM. Every Malawian who is old enough like me knows that politics stole Press Corperation from MCP. They need to get it back.

   6. Malawians must ensure that parastatsls are run professionally. No political interferrance is tolerated an inch. Interviews of people working for these organisations must be conducted openly for everyone to see and hear. They must be televised and relayed over various radio stations. Let professionals run our service providing entities including government departments and ministries.

   7. Rid government systems of corruption, tribalism, cronysm, regionalism, etc.

   8. Malawians must love their country and work tirelessly to develop it..

   Evelyn Mwapasa is a great woman of God. She leaves ESCOM as a great woman. I wish her success in all that she will do. I also wish Dr. Chiwaya all the best. A well qualified man!

   I rest my case now that I have arrived in Blanttre from Lilongwe. I was a passanger of course! Don’t write as you drive!

   Kent Y.G. MPHEPO – Blantyre (0888435629)

   1. Well said. Now go and talk to MCP and offer to help draw up their manifesto

   2. Very wise thoughts. Thanks for your time to write this Kent

   3. My friend dig your history properly. Don’t omit Muluzi who also did some investments in hydro power. Remember very well my friend. It’s not from Kamuzu to Bingu no.

6. Engineers have to be on top of these engineering companies.Way to Go.

7. evelyn mwapasa is a professional accountant ,she doesn’t tolerate corruption which the DPP lead government is addictive to .Go well mwapasa and get a good job,leave this useless govenment. you can go back to ICAM ,we will welcome you

8. The truth about the matter is the lady is a professional does not allow zachinyengo on procurement on the Gensets on the expense of poor Malawians

9. This lady doesn’t play around! They had to fire her and put someone they can easily manipulate. Dr Chiwaya was once a CEO at ESSCOM and is responsible for this mess that has matured today.
   Dzitaye Evelyn continue being professional.

10. Anayiwononga okha escom.

11. Shame on Malawi Govt…when one says no to corruption you fire them….Voters are wa5ching and you are going down in 2019

12. You Will fire all workers at Escom and Egeco you will never find solution they is one person here in Malawi who have solution of this problem this guy is prophet Shepard Bushiri have the solution to Electricity problem in Malawi wellcome papa to Malawi please us we are dying with poverty every thing is in messy.

13. A Zaya, tiyeni tidzinena chilungamo. It is not fair to accuse APM of tribalism. Think of the NEC of MCP which comprises of people from Lilongwe. Are those the lhomwes? Were they put in those positions by APM? Learn to tell the truth.

    By the way Zaya, have you ever heard of an over K800 million mansion under construction in Lilongwe at maula? The owner is not a lhomwe but a chewa and former man of God. This Mchewa is even failing to explain the source of funds used to build the house. Ngati uku sikumba, tell me what it is!!!!

    1. @ Hatton, You’re a very useless dull person, we are talking of people who are in control of our taxes. Do you give your tax to opposition parties? u’re a headless chicken.

       1. Queen panyini posasukapo. What haston is trying to bring to your thick useless skull is that, if Chakwera and MCP can practice tribalism and corruption while out of power, what more would they do to the country when they come into power? Can you get that now? Nanyongo wozaza maziyo ndithu.

       2. I meant what hatton was trying to say #queen

       3. Join the discussionmdima ukudana ndi kuunika. Does the fallen m’busa not use tax payers money or you don’t know”?

    2. FYI: May not be sure of the figure if indeed K800mil but I remember every member of Assemblies of God had to make atleast a K200 contribution to build Chakwera a house after he left for politics as a thank you…. “I repeat atleast K200”

    3. hatton you are a useless creature

14. za ziii…..so MWAPASA is your sacrificial lamb.Stop corruption,stop milking these parastatals…stop the lies.Only there and then will Escom deliver

15. Mwalanga who

16. The problem with APM and the DPP is that they think that they can practice full blown state capture (wanton tribalism and blatant misprocurement) and still have public institutions running efficiently. It does not work like that. In fact the problems with our public institutions are usually not the chief executives, but the boards of directors.

    It is the politically well connected board members who bulldoze most of the disastrous contracts. Nothing will change as long as APM believes that public institutions exist only for the purposes of political patronage. Since the advent of multi-party politics in 1994, it is ESCOM board members who have enriched themselves to obscene proportions rather than executive management. Management are told what to buy, from whom and at what amounts. This is in the public domain. We all know why Betty Mahuka resigned as Finance Manager.

    The culture of political patronage is so entrenched in DPP that they simply can’t change in these remaining 2 years. Greed and abuse of state resources runs very deep in DPP’s DNA. They don’t even pretend to hide it. People connected to the party openly talk of senior public placements as “reward” for being loyal DPP members or Mulhakho wa Alhomwe committee members rather than hiring the best person for the job…

    1. Asiyeni alhomwe adzichotsana. ife mdima pano ndikudya kwathu.

       1. Boma la a Lhomwe !

    2. Well said

    3. Zaya majority of MCP NEC are natives of LL District osamanamiza anthu mchewa ndewatsankho

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