Some legislators in Phalombe have bemoaned the delay to connect several sites to electricity under the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (Marep).
They say the areas were earmarked for the power connection four years ago and the delay is affecting people’s economic livelihood.
In an interview yesterday, Phalombe East parliamentarian Robert Mwina said the three sites in his constituency are yet to be connected to power.
”Some of the areas such as Nanyalo produce a lot of rice. If the area is connected to power, rice milling will be easy for farmers,”he said.
Phalombe South lawmaker Mary Mpanga said four sites in her area are yet to have a feel of Marep.
”People expected to start small-scale business such as barbershops, salons and shops but the wait continues.
In a separate interview yesterday, Minister of Energy Newton Kambala said he is looking into such issues and promised to address the problem soon.
He said: ”You know i have just taken over the office recently. One of the issues am looking into is that people should have access to electricity in rural areas.”
”So let me assure people of Phalombe that the said sites will be connected to electricity soon.”
Marep is a government sponsored programme which seeks to increase access to electricity for people in rural areas in the country. The programme which is run in phases, is in phase eight.
The Nation_15th July 2020_Chikondi Magalasi-Contributor