The Ministry of Energy says it has completed construction works and commissioned 282 sites of 460 sites under the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) phase 9.

Ministry Spokesperson, Austin Theu says they anticipate to complete construction of an additional 126 sites by the end of the month, attributing the delay to forex issues and devaluations, among other things.

He adds that preparations for MAREP phase 10 have advanced for its commencement.

"We commenced the preparations last year which included detailed designing and bills of quantities for the phase 10," said They.

An energy expert, Dr. Sugzo Kaunda, while backing the reasons for the delay as understandable, argues this is impacting rural masses in the country.

"Those are valid reason indeed but rural Malawians are suffering due to delayed completion of the phase, affecting the economy of the country in the process," said Dr. Kaunda.

"If the social sector is crippled then the country's developmental goals are will face hiccups to be fulfilled," he added.

Recently, the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurance and Public Sector Reforms blamed delays in connecting households and financial challenges among locals as some of the challenges affecting the implementation of the Malawi Rural Electrification Project.