US survey hits at political interference for Escom, Egenco inefficiencies
US sponsored survey has revealed that state electricity companies, Escom and Egenco are inefficient in their operations because of political interferences.
Grace Simwaka, head of energy sector reforms at Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) has told journalists in Lilongwe that the two companies can only operate effectively and efficiently if their boards are hired on merit.
The law allows the President to appoint anyone, including party supporters and sympathisers to the board of the statutory corporations.
“We have talked to the authorities on how best to make Escom and Egenco independent so that they are efficient and effective,” said Simwaka.
The survey results come at a time when the country is facing severe power cuts despite the fact that this is a rainy season.
Escom and Egenco officials say the situation has been worsened by the fact that the south has been without rains for weeks.
The officials however say the government has now allowed to increase the water flow at Liwonde Barrage by 20 per cent, saying this would improve the situation.
Escom public relations officer George Mituka said the load shedding for ordinary homes will be reduced to four hours a day whilst for industrial sites will be restricted for one day in a week.
Principal Secretary for the Department of Water Nyandule Phiri confirmed the government has nodded to the increase of water flow by 20 per cent to allow the generation of the hydro power.
I DONT ENVY ESCOM MANAGEMENT. MUST BE AN IMPOSSIBLY THANKLESS JOB
The solution to our constant and predictable blackouts is very simple….take ESCOM and EGENCO away from government and political control! Verily verily I say unto all Malawians the problem with ESCOM is political intereference indeed! That is why upto now we dont know who caused the fire at ESCOM house. Contracts for essential services at ESCOM are given to politicians and the board appointed by a politician to appease either his kinsmen or political friends! All countries who freed their energy companies from the filthy hands of politicians solved their energy problems! A private company would see blackouts as losses… Read more »
SHITHOLE country
True, our problem is politics. Let me talk as a prophet that this problem will continue till we change the way we are doing our politics. Though our leaders claim to be educated they know nothing. They appoint people to lead ESCOM who do not know everything. We can’t depend on generators to have electricity. All clever nations are now going solar. Unfortunately tikumawombera manja zazi. Before the arrival of generators we were told that these problems will be history. Chifukwa chake tizalira Kamuzu ndi Bingu mpaka kalekale. Enawa ayi poti nawonso analengedwa ndi Mulungu koma mavuto alipo.
Can you elaborate more on political interference. This is poor reporting by an incompetent reporter.
Mbuyawo……..Malawi is currently operating politics of patronage and stomachs. The president of any party is compelled to reward those that supported and voted them into power. The same applies when political parties are voted into government. Cabinet ministers are appointed based on patronage and loyalty to their leaders, and not necessarily on merit or competence. Unfortunately the current government has only 20 cabinet posts, which means that some of loyal party members have to be rewarded with positions somewhere, and they end up getting appointed in various positions, including boards and executive positions in parastatals/govt departments. It is also an… Read more »
Well explained. Would add that “The Public Reform Program” should at least be debated in parliament so that it becomes a piece of legislation. In that way it could be used as law to set the pace for the implementation of such reforms. In its current form, it is just gathering dust and sooner or later it will be archived.
I totally agree with you Hlabezulu in your suggestion to have the program/policy debated in and adopted by parliament. The question would be “amange mphaka belu ndi ndani”. Who will table The Public Sector Reform Policy in parliament. We have very submissive MP’s who are very scared of their own leaders. I still don’t understand why Malawians are so scared of their bosses to a point where they get too paralysed to challenge even in cases where their own values and ethics are trampled upon. I don’t know whether its the way we grew up; where we were told not… Read more »