Chakwera asks govt not to hike electricity tariffs by 60%

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has asked government not to hike electricity tariffs by 60% as proposed by Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM).

Currently ESCOM is soliciting views from Malawians on the plan to hike the tariffs between 2018 and 2032 and the first consultative meeting was held in Blantyre on Monday where Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito trashed the idea.

Kapito said the increase could only be effected if the consumers were accorded with the new products or services on the market.

“Honestly, we are in total disagreement with this proposal now until ESCOM improve its services. Why can they raise the tariffs when we have poor electric supply of the intermittent power outrages out there? We found this a mockery or an insult to the consumer rights,” said Kapito.

In a statement read this morning, Chakwera said this would be an extra burden on Malawians who are already suffering.

According to Chakwera, Government should first sort out challenges rocking ESCOM such as corruption and failure to provide power before embarking on hiking electricity tariffs.

Chakwera said Malawians facing a number of challenges and hiking electricity will add more misery.