Maravi

(NYASATIMES) ESCOM boss fired

ESCOM boss fired
By Nyasa Times
Published: November 26, 2009

Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), Chief Executive Officer, Peterson Zembani has been fired, Nyasa Times has learnt. A well placed source told Nyasa Times that Zembani received his letter of dismissal on Wednesday.

Escom board chairperson, Davis Katsonga, confirmed Zembani’s sacking saying the body need “new ideas to steer the institution out of its persistent problems.”

Zembani has received the boot after last week Malawi experiences the nationwide blackout as President Bingu wa Mutharika’s government faces continuing accusations of economic and infrastructure neglect of the country of 13 million inhabitants and growing urban centres.

Malawi has been experiencing frequent abrupt power outages which in some cases have forced surgeons at hospitals to turn patients away from their scheduled surgical operations until the country’s sole electricity utility company stabilises supply of power.

Escom has since raised its tariffs by 36 percent after revelations by the power utility is “technically bankrupt” with an overdraft of K1 billion.

On the other hand, Escom through instructions of Zembani donated K365, 00 n towards celebrations of President Bingu wa Mutharika’s tribal heritage group, the Mulhakho wa Alhomwe

Government wants Escom to repay its bank overdraft of K1billion by increasing the tariffs so that customers should bail it out.

Consumer Association of Malawi Executive (CAMA) Director, John Kapito had called on Mutharika to fire en masse Escom)managers after a revelation that a whooping amount of K113 million was spent on a party and towards board expenses in the just ended fiscal year.

Kapito said he does not understand how Escom would spend such huge amount of money on an end-of-year party and towards board expenses when Escom is failing to provide adequate and uninterrupted electricity to the people of Malawi.

Labels: DAVIS KATSONGA, ENERGY, ESCOM, PETERSON ZEMBANI, POWER OUTAGES

posted by MrK @ 1:09 PM