The Electricity Supply Corperation of Malawi (ESCOM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy has launched the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP) that is expected to increase accessibility of electricity in the country.
The project that has been launched by Minister of Energy , Honorable Ibrahim Matola today at Bingu International Conference Centre ( BICC) in Lilongwe is also expected to clear the backlog when connecting electricity to Malawians.
In his remarks,the energy minister says the project is set to benefit several Malawians.
“The project will result into massive roll out of electricity to Malawians. All Malawians who have been waiting for electricity, MEAP is here for them,” Matola says.
He says Government is committed to transform lives of Malawians by providing them with electricity through the project.
Honorable Matola says ESCOM is now a reformed statutory corperation ready to serve Malawians diligently.
“This is a new and a reformed ESCOM that is ready to serve Malawians diligently. We have assembled a team of competent staff that are ready to meet the needs of Malawians. Government is ready to transform this country,” he says.
The Minister says by 2030, 50 percent of Malawians will be able to access electricity from the current 12 percent.
Speaking at the same event, ESCOM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kamkwamba Kumwenda commits to make the project increase both on and off grid electricity access.
“ESCOM will continue to walk the talk to please more customers and make every Malawian access electricity,” he says.
The CEO urges Malawians to desist from bribing ESCOM officials to access electricity.
“I need to urge all Malawians to report any case of corruption. I need to assure all Malawians that ESCOM will deal with all the corrupt individuals,” the CEO says.
Senior Chief Tsabango from Lilongwe who his area has already benefited from the program reiterated on the essence for the Malawians to take care of the ESCOM materials.
“We need to take care of ESCOM materials for sustainability of the program. We need to avoid vandalising and stealing ESCOM materials because the malpractices details progress of the country,” he says.
The project that has been funded by the World Bank is expected to benefit all Malawians including those with grass thatched houses. Malawi government plans to use the program to distribute electricity across the country to allow people venture into several business activities and create job opportunities simultaneously.
