Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Atupele Muluzi has acknowledge efforts taken by Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) in improving service delivery in the country, saying these efforts will significantly contribute to the growth of the economy.

Muluzu said this during the launch of customer service charter by ESCOM at Crossroads hotel in Lilongwe on Thursday.

“My ministry will give ESCOM all the support required to supply reliable, quality power and to improve its service delivery.

“The energy sector is catalyst for economic change and transformation Government longs for a day when ESCOM will eliminate blackouts or load shedding, a day when customer connections to power are done within 24 to 48 hours and indeed a day when we will have power all day every day and not moving towards power.” Said Muluzu.

He however advised ESCOM staff that the Charter is not an end in itself, but there is need for a step-change in the way they do business, to ensure that they effectively and successfully implement all contained in the Charter.

On his part, ESCOM Board Chairman Morgan Tembo said the charter will act as a roadmap towards attainment of the corporate goals and objectives as a preferred world class provider of reliable and sustainable electricity to the nation and in the region.

“This Charter is the beginning of a journey towards fulfillment of the strategic aspirations of the corporation which is improved customer service delivery, despite many challenges but as ESCOM we shall endeavor to ensure that we address them within the most reasonable period of time,” Said Tembo.

He also said ESCOM has sensitized all the staff about the service level standards and commitments enshrined in the Charter and have since trained them in customer service management.