LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has connected 48,000 households through the Malawi Electricity Access Project (MEAP) four months after its commencement.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources on Thursday, October 12, 2023, ESCOM Senior Project Officer, Alex Kaitane said the project which started in June this year is expected to reach out to 70,000 households by December.

Kaitane said the project seeks to connect 180,00 customers in the next two years with the aim of increasing electricity access in the country.

He said the project requires customers to pay according to the Ministry of Energy policy.

“We are doing what we are guided for and we are charging people on policy issues,” said Kaitane.

On his part, Chairperson for the Committee, Welani Chilenga said the project is being implemented contrary to what the Parliament passed as it was supposed to be a nonconnection fee.

Chilenga said though the committee welcomes the idea of customers paying for the fee the ministry should seek authorization from Parliament.

“We would love that if they should follow what we discussed in parliament else ESCOM should pay back the loan meant for the project alone as customers are already paying for the connection fee,” said Chilenga.

He further said the committee recommended that the Ministry of Energy from using MK27 billion to buy solar gadgets instead the money should be channeled to Escom to increase the number of connections.

The project has the grid component, off-the-grid component, and technical support component which the Ministry of Energy is undertaking.