ESCOM Wants Metal Scrap Business Laws Tightened
Power Utility body, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) believes effecting laws or guidelines that regulate metal scrap industry which is contributing to vandalism of the body's equipment and infrastructure will help to deal with the vice in the country.
ESCOM says in 2021, it lost One Billion Kwacha in replacing damaged equipment and revenue resulted from vandalized equipment and infrastructure such as cables, powers lines and transformers.
ESCOM Spokesperson, Innocent Chitosi, has told Zodiak that they have been lobbying the authorities to affect the tight measures on metal scrap dealings and put electricity punitive laws to deter criminals.
"We have not given up on lobbying the authorities for such regulations to be effected," Chitosi said.
In 2014, government lifted the ban on secondhand and scrap metal dealings and started issuing freely permits for exports, mainly to South Africa and Tanzania.
Ministry of Trade Spokesperson, Mayeso Msokera, asked for more time before commenting on the matter.
Elsewhere last week, Kenya banned exports and dealings in scrap metal until proper guidelines are put in place following an increased vandalism, mainly on power lines in the country.
