Thursday, August 11News That Matters
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Aug92022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
UNDP Hands Over 220 Kilowatts- Bondo mini hydro

UNDP Hands Over 220 Kilowatts- Bondo mini hydro

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Authorities have rated highly the mini grids as part of a solution to the persistent power outages in the country. Ibrahim Matola Minister of Energy made the remarks after receiving a 220 Kilowatts- Bondo mini hydro, in Mulanje- worth half a Million US Dollars from the UNDP. The mini grid which is benefiting over one thousand five hundred customers, is being managed by Mulanje Electricity Generation Agency a subsidiary of Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust. After the official handover, Shigeki Komatsubara UNDP resident representative, said energy is a catalyst for the development of a nation saying it promotes economic activities. According to Komatsubara, the hydro asset is as a result of a partnership UNDP had with MEGA in projects aimed at promoting access to clean energy....
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Aug92022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
Parliament Accussed For Overstepping Mandate

Parliament Accussed For Overstepping Mandate

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Some Civil Society groups are accusing Parliament of overstepping its mandate in a Motion where MPs want Judge Ken Manda summoned to appear before Legal affairs committee of Parliament. The Civil Society Organizations; Malawi Civil Society Led Black Economic Empowerment Movement (MaBLEM), Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and Forum for National Development (FND), have said this at a Press briefing in Lilongwe. Fryson Chodzi, Forum for National Development Chairperson has described the Judgement by Judge Manda in Alfred Gangata and Gerson Mkweza case as appropriate 'duly'. The CSO leaders have also blamed Gerson Mkweza Managing Director of Gam Fuels gas station, for acting inappropriate by snatching Car keys from Gangata. "It is therefore our demand that Parliament mus...
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Aug92022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
ESCOM Lost K112 Billion

ESCOM Lost K112 Billion

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The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) says since its unbundling in 2018, it has been operating at a loss, accounting for K112 billion which has gone down the drain since the decision was effected. ESCOM Chief executive officer, Kamkwamba Kumwenda says, ESCOM is currently buying electricity from power producers at K140 per kilowatt, per hour, yet it is selling to end-user consumers at K104 per kilowatt, per hour. "ESCOM is slowly dying. It is either we close ESCOM or increase the tariffs. We are proposing automated price adjustments. We are currently negotiating with the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority to increase the tariffs," said Kumwenda during a press briefing at the company's head office in Blantyre today.
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Aug82022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
Parliament Pass k20.5 Authorization Bill

Parliament Pass k20.5 Authorization Bill

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In the picture; one of the bailey bridges on the said road Parliament has passed a loan authorization bill allowing the government to borrow K20.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Benga, Nkhotakota Dwangwa M5 road. The loan is to be sourced from OPEC Fund for International Development. According to Minister of Finance, Sosten Gwengwe, the road which was constructed in 1976, is dilapidated and requires attention. In his comments, Spokesperson for United Democratic Front (UDF) on the matter, Member of Parliament for Nkhotakota South East, Ibrahim Sadala, has supported the bill saying the road was a death trap to users. According to the legislator, a lot of lives have been lost on the road, which is characterised by single lane bailey bridges and huge potholes. The loa...
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Aug82022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
Chakwera Opens AFBA Conference

Chakwera Opens AFBA Conference

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Legal minds and other professionals from Africa and beyond have gathered at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) where for the next three days the African Bar Association (AfBA) annual general conference, under the umbrella of the Malawi Law Society (MLS), will be held. President Lazarus Chakwera is presiding over the opening of the conference which will among other things discuss issues of governance, rule of law and democracy. Liberia's Vice President, Jewel Howard Taylor is the keynote speaker. The ceremony started with the transition of the AfBA flag from Niger which hosted the 2021 annual conference to Malawi which will take it to the next conference with a promise to defend the law profession and work with the government of Malawi in promoting the rule of law.
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Aug72022 by Malawi Freedom NetworkNo Comments
Gangata Tells Parliament To Shut Up

Gangata Tells Parliament To Shut Up

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Alfred Gangata, the Managing Director of Masters Boreholes Drilling Company says he is surprised with the way the general public has reacted to the Gam Fuels Gas Station sale issue. Gangata has told the Media in Lilongwe that he is further surprised to see Parliament deliberating on a judgement that was delivered by the court which is an independent arm of government. “John Mussa, a young man from Blantyre was arrested and sentenced to 8 years for being found in possession of Chamba, Malawians spoke against the judgement describing it as unfair, did Parliament take up the matter? No, no one brought a Motion in Parliament to request that Mussa be released.” Said Gangata. According to Gangata, the case went through two competent Courts and Chairman for Gam Investments and Fuels Lim...
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Aug62022 by Suleman ChiteraNo Comments
Poor Performance Derails developmental projects

Poor Performance Derails developmental projects

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Bad attitude in public service and poor performance among civil servants is derailing developmental projects in the country, Minister of Tourism Dr. Michael Usi has said. He disclosed, “investors continue to shun Malawi because of this ‘undesirable behavior’ among civil servants, which threatens Malawi's developmental agenda.” The minister said this in Machinga on Friday when he opened Liwonde Sun Hotel, where he cautioned to close down facilities that likewise, fail to meet set standards. Director of Liwonde Sun Hotel, Yusuf Sheriff has called on government to continue providing space to support government, by creating more jobs, citing his facility which has seventy employees.
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Aug52022 by Suleman ChiteraNo Comments
COURT BARS NATIONAL BUS COMPANY FROM RUNNING BUS TERMINALS

COURT BARS NATIONAL BUS COMPANY FROM RUNNING BUS TERMINALS

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National Bus Company Limited has been restrained from operating all the bus terminals and workshops across the country that once belonged to councils later the defunct Shire Bus Lines. The development follows a preservation order by the High Court in Lilongwe following an application by the Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda. Among others, the order prohibits the defendant and any other person on his behalf to operate the terminals. The order has also authorized the claimant to make arrangements with authorities/councils to oversee smooth operations of the facilities. The facilities in question include Wenela Bus Depot, Makata Depot, Lilongwe Malangalanga Bus Depot, Kasungu Bus Depot, Mzimba Bus Depot, Mzuzu Bus Depot and a workshop. The defendant has also been ordered...
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