The Ministry of Energy says unavailability of foreign exchange is a major obstacle that has impeded the procurement of materials for the initiation of the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MaREP) project phase 9.

The project seeks to increase access to electricity for people in Peri-urban and rural areas as part of Government’s effort to reduce poverty, transform rural economies, improve productivity and improve the quality of social services.

Joseph Kalowekamo the Acting Director of Energy at the Ministry of Energy stated that the ministry is actively engaging with the Ministry of Finance to address the Forex-related issues and facilitate the commencement of MaREP 9 project.

Kalowekamo disclosed that the 70 billion Kwacha Malawi Rural Electrification Programme project phase 9 is scheduled to commence in July of this year.

Commenting on the matter, Werani Chilenga, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, expressed concerns regarding the detrimental impact of project delays on the accessibility of electricity for rural communities