Group calls for sanity in electrical works
The 300-member Electrical Contractors Association of Malawi (Elcam) has asked authorities to ensure that only certified electrical contractors do the work to minimise faults.
The call by Elcam president Montfort Mataya on Friday comes against the backdrop of a number of fires gutting down buildings, blamed partly on electrical faults.
He said most of the electrical wiring materials found on the local market are not certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) as the country’s quality control board, a development which results in buildings catching fire affecting companies’ or individuals’ construction budgets.
Mataya said they have been complaining of the influx of sub-standard electrical materials on the market to MBS for action.
“Elcam is also looking forward to have a testing and inspection of contractors who should carry out work using modern equipment. We want personnel in the electrical industry to undergo refresher courses and capacity building trainings,” he said.
Mataya said Elcam wants government support, noting that of late, the group has been sidelined in a number of meetings involving electrical contractors.
The group said electrical consulting engineers recommend that electrical materials should have specifications which will avoid hazardous occurrence to human beings and property.
“We want to assure the nation that the standard materials are being manufactured locally and are approved by MBS and Escom [Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi]. But the sad news is that other manufacturers are counterfeiting other companies’ labels,” said Mataya.
Experts say in electrical works, safety should be a priority, stressing that a good wiring does not cause fire, because a fault develops first which must trip off main switches or circuit breakers.
Of late, there have been a number of fires that have gutted buildings largely blamed on improper electrical installations.
If a building catches fire due to poor electrical installation, it is a huge cost to the owner.
Economic Empowerment Action Group (Eeag) executive director Temson Chinjala said a number of small businesses have suffered because their buildings or premises they do business have been gutted by fire due to sub-standard electrical installations.
“We always advise our members to solicit for service providers that are certified by Mera [Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority] to avoid inconveniences such as fires which is a huge cost to businesses,” he said.
Elcam has since advised clients to ensure that the contractor is dully registered with the association and that no electrical installation work should be undertaken without signing an agreement to minimise disputes.
