Electricity blackouts to end in three years – Mutharika

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has promised that blackouts which are currently a norm in the country will be history in three years.

Mutharika made the remarks at Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre today when he officially opened Malawi’s International Trade Fair.

In his remarks, Mutharika admitted that power shortage has been one of Malawi’s challenges for many years.

But he said his administration has taken aggressive steps to do away with the blackouts.

The Malawi leader said the ongoing process of splitting Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (Escom) into two companies is one of the measures his government has taken.

“We are splitting Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (Escom), we are bringing in more independent power producers and we are diversifying sources of power.”

“We are about to table a new electricity bill in the coming session of Parliament. Once that is done I assure you blackouts will become history in two or three years,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika also challenged businesspeople to be innovative in order to compete with other countries.

He said Malawians should be innovate in order to boost the country’s economy.

“As Malawi we have to be innovative and adapt, we need to be innovative to move together with the rest of the world,” said the Malawi leader.

Speaking at the same function, minister of trade and industry Joseph Mwanamvekha urged the private sector to utilise the Buy Malawi Strategy in order to produce high quality products for the local and international markets.

The Trade Fair is organised by the Malawi Confederation of Chambers and Industries (MCCI) and at this year’s fair at least 150 companies are exhibiting their products and services.