Communities around Jombo Trading Centre in Chikwawa District have bemoaned delays by Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) to replace a vandalised transformer in their area.

In an interview on Tuesday, a businessperson Benson Chinamora said unidentified people vandalised the transformer on May 27 2023.

He said: “When we visited the scene, we discovered that the vandals had tampered with the transformer. We reported the matter to Escom office at Nchalo Trading Centre.

“But up to date, nothing is happening. We ask Escom to move fast and restore the transformer because our businesses need power to run.”

Another businessperson Raphael Kandiado, who owns a maize mill, said it has been a month without doing business.

Transmission poles where the
transformer once hung

“People now go to Sekeni, Nchalo or Lyton trading centres to charge their phones or have their hair cut,” he said.

When contacted, Nchalo Escom engineer Chiona Mkwate referred The Nation to the utility’s spokesperson Kitty Chingota who said Escom was aware of the development and they are sourcing another transformer.

She said: “We will immediately replace it when the appropriate size is available. It is unfortunate that people continue to vandalise our transformers as this is the third case registered in Chikwawa after other transformers were vandalised at Kulima and Dembo.

“It is costly to replace them. However, vandalism denies other Malawians the opportunity to be connected as money is used for replacement of the same facilities.”

Chingota said besides creating awareness on the ills of vandalism, Escom is reviewing some of its technical specifications to curb the vice.

“We appeal to Malawians to desist from the malpractice,” she said.

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