Nsanje people ask Escom to restore transformer

People at Nsanje Boma have asked Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) to restore a transformer they removed last year when it developed a fault.

In random interviews yesterday at the boma, residents expressed concern with the delay, saying it was affecting their businesses and well-being.

Businessperson Eric Chikoti, who operates maize and rice mills, said his business had gone down.

He said: “The transformer developed a fault on December 26 2022 and we reported the matter to Escom offices in Nsanje and Bangula.

“Officers came and took the transformer and assured us that they would restore it but nothing has happened yet.”

Chikoti said they also went to Escom offices in Blantyre to report the same but to no avail.

“How can we go for eight months without power? We are failing to pay school fees, rentals and provide for our families because we are not running our businesses. I ask Escom to restore the transformer,” he said.

Aida Fungulani from Ndenguma Village in Senior Chief Malemia in the district, said people from Ndenguma, Nthukuso, John, Fulukiya, Balaka, Therere, Chipwembwe, Malemia and Lampi villages are also affected.

“We travel to Nthole and Makhunsu for maize mills,” she said.

In a separate interview, Escom spokesperson Kitty Chingota said they received a report on the same from Nsanje District.

She said: “It is true that the 315 kilovolt transformer developed a fault last year and we expect to have a replacement in the next consignment of transformers.

“So far, we are only able to supply households from alternative sources but not commercial customers and this is due to capacity constraints with the alternative sources.”