Parliamentary committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change members want the ministry of Energy to cancel the recently floated tender for supply of electricity poles to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi(Escom) with immediate effect.
The committee’s chairperson Werani Chirenga confirmed the development to The Daily Times.
”The current situation, whereby Escom procures electricity poles from Zimbabwe and South Africa, is in sharp contrast to President Lazarus Chakwera’s efforts of promoting the ‘Buy Malawi’ initiative,” he said.
The committee chair repeated the sentiments on Saturday, when committee members and Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola visited Raiply Malawi premises to appreciate electricity poles treatment and briquette production process at the company.
He said it was surprising that Escom continued to import poles from Zimbabwe and South Africa when the same could be sourced locally.
Matola said he would engage concerned parties on the matter.
”I have taken note of their recommendation and will, in due course, meet with both parties and map the way forward,” Matola said.
Raiply Malawi Chief Executive Officer Khrishna Das said his company could not supply poor quality electricity poles to Escom.
Raiply Malawi which has been participating in Escom’s bidding process, has never won any electricity poles tender.
”We always demonstrate that our poles are of international quality when we demonstrate to people how we treat them.
”We have been doing this will all the government officials and even experts who visit out treatment plant. We are always clean when following the treatment process” Das said.
Raiply Malawi was established in 1999 and has over 2500 workers, the majority of whom are from communities surrounding the company properties.
Source: The Daily Times_March 1, 2022_By Samuel Kalimira