Cama lashes out at Escom, Egenco

Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) has expressed concern on the continued blackouts that have affected the lives of consumers and disrupted economic and social activity in the country.

In an interview on Wednesday, Cama executive director John Kapito said as a consequence, most industries, are no longer able to produce goods and services.

He also said consumers are shocked with corrupt practices at Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) involving the procurement of gensets “that could have at least reduced the pain and burden that consumers are experiencing everyday”.

“Even more shocking is the news that there is an attempt to increase the electricity tariff in order to raise capital to buy the gensets.

“We find this as a joke, we believe that Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority [Mera] would not entertain such type of unwarranted request from Escom or Electricity Generation Company [Egenco]. We demand the procurement of gensets be done within the next 60 days,” said Kapito.

He asked for the formation of a special commission to assess compensation for consumers that are losing their electrical appliances and perishables due to  blackouts. In the past five years, electricity tariff has gone up by 150 percent.

In an earlier interview on new tariff rates, Egenco public relations officer Moses Gwaza said Egenco is yet to evaluate the proposed tariff increases.