Neno communities demand Escom office

Concerned citizens in Neno District yesterday petitioned Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) to open an office in the district to improve service delivery.

Neno district is served by Escom officers from the neighbouring Mwanza District.

Presenting the petition to Escom Regional Office (South) in Blantyre, the group’s representative Russell Msiska said residents in the district fail to access Escom services, such as new connections to faults due to the absence of the power utility office.

“We spend a lot of money on transport to travel to Mwanza to process new power connection application forms, payments and other services,” he said.

Msiska said when the district experiences a fault, it takes two to three days for them to be assisted from officers from Mwanza office, adding that the situation becomes worse during the rainy season as roads become impassable in the district.

“We feel like the delay to establish an office in Neno is a deliberate move by Escom staff so that they draw hefty allowances when assigned to work in Neno,” he said.

Msiska said since Neno was declared a district 16 years ago, all government offices and agencies have offices in the district, except Escom.

He added that the absence of an Escom office in the district hinders potential investors to come and invest in the district.

Another citizen, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they feel that they are not a priority for most Escom services such as new connections as they take long time to be assisted unlike their colleagues in Mwanza.

In response, Escom regional manager (South) Gilbert Chodzadza assured people of Neno that his organisation will consider their demands.

He has since promised to visit the district to appreciate the challenges.

Among other people present were a representative of Traditional Authority Mlauli and council chairperson Mark Ngwangwa.