Malawians can expect renewed efforts to improve electricity services after the Board of Directors of the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) and the ESCOM Staff Union (ESU) pledged to collaborate in restoring the utility’s performance and enhancing service delivery.
The commitment was made during a high-level engagement involving ESCOM Board Chairperson Alfred Nhlema, Board committee chairpersons, Chief Executive Officer William Kaipa, and ESU executive leadership led by Union President Alex Chatsira.
The meeting focused on enhancing corporate performance, accountability, and delivering better results for the public.
Addressing the gathering, Nhlema emphasized the need for unity across the institution, saying the Board, management, and staff must work as one team to restore ESCOM’s glory and achieve its strategic goals.
“The union, management, and the Board must work as one united force to restore the glory of ESCOM. When we align our efforts toward this common goal, everything else will fall into place,” Nhlema said.
Kaipa echoed the call for collaboration, noting that organizations become stronger when employees, management, and leadership work together, especially during periods of transformation. He reaffirmed management’s commitment to maintaining open communication with staff.
“During challenging times, organizations are not broken—they are strengthened by collaboration,” Kaipa said.
The discussions also provided an opportunity for the Staff Union to raise operational, governance, and employee welfare issues. Both sides expressed commitment to resolving challenges through dialogue, recognizing that employee welfare and organizational success go hand in hand.
In a symbolic gesture of trust and partnership, the Staff Union conferred upon Nhlema the honorary title of “Comrade,” recognizing his leadership and commitment to supporting workers as ESCOM pursues its turnaround agenda.
