Load shedding shuts down Chama

ECONOMIC activities have come to a standstill in Chama district of Muchinga province and surrounding areas following prolonged hours of load shedding of up 16 hours, being implemented by the Malawian power utility company, ESKOM which supplies the area.

But ZESCO spokesperson, Henry Kapata has assured that a 133 Kilowatt Volt transmission line from Chipata substation to the area was already under construction at a cost of $69 million.

Mr Kapata said that ZESCO was aware of the economic challenges that had hit the area because of power outages in Malawi.

He however said that the power transmission line project would be completed in the next 2 years and that the affected areas would be connected to the power grid.

“Yes we are aware of the challenges that have hit Chama and surrounding areas because of power challenges in Malawi, who are supplying the area. But we are already constructing a transmission line from Chipata substation all the way to Chama.

“The project was just delayed by some farmers along the way who asked us to give them a bit of time till they harvest their produce. Now the project has continued, we will be done in two years’ time,” said Mr Kapata.

Meanwhile, FDD Chama district chairman, Yotam Mtayachalo, who runs a rice processing plant in Chama confirmed that the area had severely been hit by electricity crisis.

Mr Mtayachalo said that the district was going almost 25 hours without power.

He reiterated that the power crisis had brought economic activities almost to a standstill as people were not able to conduct their normal businesses.

“In my case, I run a rice processing plant in Chama and business has been crippled as we are not able to meet the orders. I have spoken to ZESCO managing director today who is out of the country and he has promised to talk to his colleagues at ESKOM,” said Mr Mtayachalo.

Mr Mtayachalo said that the new Chama district hospital had equally been affected due to load shedding as it had no standby generator.

He charged that the situation was unacceptable and posed a great risk to lives of patients who needed to undergo emergency operations and therefore the Ministry of Health must ensure that the hospital had a standby generator to prevent loss of lives.

Mr Mtayachalo called on ZESCO to seriously consider bringing back standby diesel generators to supply power to the district because the power problem in Malawi seemed big.