By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera says his recent state visit to Mozambique has been beneficial going by a number of agreements the two countries have reached.
Speaking at Kamuzu International Airport during his arrival the President said the trip has opened a number of doors covering various sectors, highlighting on the interconnection project that he and his counterpart, President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, launched in Mozambique as one of such areas making the trip so historical to Malawi as it will allow the electricity capacity to increase.
“We also had discussions, negotiations, along other possible ways of collaboration. In terms of railway transportation, I had a chance to visit Nacala Port, and in terms of trade and other areas of collaboration, I must say that I had several ministers with me as well as government officials touching a broad base of areas that we can collaborate on.” said President Chakwera.
The Malawi leader further said the two nations had a business forum in order for business people from both sides to make trade agreements and make sure that problems that exist sometimes are addressed.
He also said that he and his Mozambican counterpart discussed issues of security in SADC region in his capacity as SADC chairperson, and the situation in Cabo Delgado province.
During the visit President Chakwera also met Malawians living in that country, and signed various agreements benefiting the people of the two nations.
President Lazarus Chakwera during the tour described the launch of the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector as timely and a prerequisite for speeding up economic growth and improving the living standards of the citizens.
Chakwera said the construction of the 400kv transmission line project will help to ease the increasing demand of electricity in Malawi as well as providing safe and reliable power.
He further said that the project will create an opportunity for Malawi to export power into the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP)
“I should also mention that this project will cushion Malawi against future power losses due to unforeseen and uncertain circumstances. This Interconnector will assist in closing the gap between power supply and demand in Malawi which is adversely affecting our agriculture, the manufacturing industry, and delivery services,” said President Chakwera.
He said the line could become a source of revenue for Malawi in the near future when the country will be exporting power to the region once the needs of domestic supply are met especially with the construction of other projects like the Mpatamanga, Kholombidzo, and Fulu Hydropower projects.