Malawians are demanding answers over the money being spent on rented diesel generators as the country continues to grapple with electricity supply challenges.
The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has called for the immediate publication of all contracts involving the rental of diesel generators by EGENCO and ESCOM, saying consumers deserve to know the costs and terms of the deals.
CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said in a statement issued on Thursday that the public should be informed about how much is being spent on the generators, the duration of the rental agreements and the ownership of the companies supplying the equipment.
Kapito said the continued reliance on diesel generators was particularly concerning at a time when Malawi is facing fuel shortages and limited foreign exchange.
He argued that the generator rentals have failed to provide a lasting solution to the country’s persistent electricity blackouts, while consumers could ultimately be forced to shoulder the costs through higher electricity tariffs.
CAMA has consequently demanded an immediate suspension of new generator rental agreements until their value for money can be independently assessed.
The consumer rights organisation has also called on Parliament to scrutinise the existing generator rental arrangements and ensure that the contracts are transparent and in the public interest.
Instead of continuing to rely on costly diesel generators, CAMA says EGENCO and ESCOM should prioritise investment in electricity infrastructure, including the repair and expansion of transformers and transmission and distribution cables.
The organisation has further urged the authorities to accelerate investment in cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy.
CAMA maintains that consumers should not be made to bear the financial consequences of expensive electricity arrangements that have failed to resolve Malawi’s long-running power supply challenges.
