Undule Mwakasungula calls on Govt to arrest  those who took part in plundering of  EGENCO resources

Malawi’s Governance and social commentator , Undule Mwakasungula says weak governance compounded by inconsistent policy adherence, unfavorable work environment, and a neglected succession plan, created a fertile ground for mismanagement and inefficiency for Egenco.

In a statement which Mwakasungula has released, there is need for Government to deal with those hehind the plunder.

Mwakasungula says the audit has also sheded light on potential avenues for curbing the past abuses of power by the Democratic Progress Party (DPP).

“The Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) forensic audit for the period from 1st January 2017 to 31st March, 2022 has exposed issues that have dented the company’s performance and image. Weak governance compounded by inconsistent policy adherence, unfavorable work environment, and a neglected succession plan, created a fertile ground for mismanagement and inefficiency for Egenco. Consequently, the reputation and credibility of Egenco as a key player in the energy sector could be compromised, potentially affecting investor confidence and Malawian’s trust.

The audit has also sheded light on potential avenues for curbing the past abuses of power by the Democratic Progress Party (DPP). The revelation in the report of Egenco making payments on behalf of the DPP when in power raises concerns about abuse of power and misuse of public resources.

This indicates a broader pattern of nepotism and corruption within procurement processes, damaging the DPP’s reputation and accountability record. The implication of these findings on the DPP’s legacy cannot be ignored and hence the need for comprehensive reforms within Egenco to prevent further abuses of power by political parties like DPP.

Further, in order to move forward, crucial steps and decisions are urgently necessary. Egenco must learn from past mistakes and rebuild public trust hence ensure as a reliable electricity supply for Malawi. The Egenco audit serves as a strong reminder of the importance of strong governance, clear policies and procedures, transparency, accountability, and performance measurement in parastatals such as Egenco.

Therefore, the Board effectiveness must be enhanced to ensure proper oversight and adherence to sound financial management practices to avoid experiences of the past.

Lastly as deterrence, holding accountable those implicated in corrupt practices will be necessary to send a strong message that mismanagement will not be “Business as usual” like in the past governments and not tolerated by the current government. This will discourage further misconduct in all Parastatals. Taking such measures of accountability will demonstrate the leadership and government’s commitment to addressing the issues raised in the audit. And in the end help rebuild public trust in Egenco and the government’s ability to manage Parastatals effectively.