By Burnett Munthali
Residents of Kawale and Chilinde areas in Lilongwe are fed up with the frequent electricity blackouts that have become a daily occurrence, with some areas going without power for hours on end.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, when Chilinde residents were plunged into darkness, sparking widespread complaints and concerns about the reliability of the power supply.
But what’s even more infuriating is that ESCOM personnel seem unresponsive to reported faults, leaving residents to wonder if the utility company is waiting for a tragedy to strike before taking action.
Take, for example, the case of an electric pole near Gogo Munkhondia ground in Chilinde 2, which has been reported to ESCOM faults weeks ago but remains a ticking time bomb, posing a danger to unsuspecting residents.
The pole, which is reportedly on the verge of collapse, has sparked fears of a major accident waiting to happen, with some residents accusing ESCOM of negligence and lack of concern for public safety.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration and anger at the situation, saying “It’s like they are waiting for someone to get hurt or killed before they do something.”
ESCOM’s poor response to reported faults has become a major concern for residents, who feel that the utility company is not taking their complaints seriously.
The frequent blackouts have also had a significant impact on businesses and households, with many small enterprises reporting losses due to interrupted operations.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, residents are calling on ESCOM to take immediate action to address the power woes and ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the affected areas.
The people of Kawale and Chilinde demand answers and action from ESCOM – before it’s too late.
