MCA-M, Escom tussle with LCC over towers
The Millennium Challenge Account-Malawi (MCA-M) and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) have denied claims that they are constructing high voltage electric towers close to the main road.
The two organisations have also disputed assertions that they are using wrong drawings to erect the towers without consultations and consent from Lilongwe City Council (LCC).
LCC chief executive officer Charles Makanga told journalists in Lilongwe last week that the construction of the towers near the road reserve was stopped to conduct a new assessment following concerns by residents and the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources.
But MCA-M has said the works have not stopped.
Chairperson of the committee, Werani Chilenga, observed that the towers being constructed by MCA-M under the $350.7 million (K257 billion) energy compact from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) are closer to the road, warning that they will in future cost government if it needs to expand the road.
But Escom public relations manager Kitty Chingota said LCC should explain why the project has the road reserves as places to mount the towers while MCA-M communications and outreach director Zilani Khonje said they cannot embark on a multi-billion kwacha project without consultation with LCC and following the right procedure.
In September 2013, MCA-M, the local implementing agency of the energy compact, embarked on the project to reduce the cost of doing business by expanding access to electricity.
The project, among others, includes the construction of 66 kilovolts (kv) power ring which runs from Kanengo to Lilongwe City Centre, whose towers have stirred controversy.
In an interview, Chingota said: “Submissions were made to LCC and everything was approved and we are going according to the plan that the council gave us.”
On her part, Khonje said the drawings were approved by LCC, but added that it is unfortunate that this issue is being raised when the project is almost completed.
She said: “We cannot start the project without a nod from the council, let alone Escom. We are just following the drawings that the council gave us.
“The issue of some towers being constructed near the road is not our fault. The contractor was just following the given map, but that has been taken note of and we will discuss with the council on what to do with that stretch [because] it is not the entire line just a stretch.
“We are continuing with the project. We have not been ordered to stop, maybe for that section only we have to discuss with LCC, but our contractor is following the designs that the council gave us.”
Roads Authority spokesperson Portia Kajanga said there is nothing wrong with the contractors constructing in the road reserve because that is what the reserves are for.
When completed in September 2018, apart from boosting the energy level, the project will increase potential for private sector participation and investment in power generation and distribution. n
