Access of weevil threatens Malawi

Malawi was not picturesque enough for the anonymous European settler suspected of importing water hyacinth a century ago. Now the legacy of that decision is all too clear as power cuts ravage the economy.

As mats of weed flow down the Shire River, Malawi's electricity stops, crippling industry and costing the country half a million pounds a day.

Stretched in bunches more than 160 kilometres upstream from the Nkula hydro-electric station, was one such culprit, floating vegetation never meant for Africa. It is not hyacinth, but a highly invasive plant spawned by the battle against the hyacinth.

"The vegetation is getting worse. It's blocked the whole barrage," said Wales Kalombola, a technician from the Electricity Supply Corporation.

He stood on a dam in Liwonde, known locally as a barrage, which regulates the river for the Nkula plant. But the weeds block the flow.

Every day a crane hauls out tons of the gunk, and four trucks shuttle it to a site for burning. A second crane is due this month, said Kalombola, as are a further six trucks.

The authorities are considering buying a floating bulldozer and harvester from Aquarius Systems, a US firm which battles the super weeds.

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