Maravi

Govt dissolves ERB, Zesco boards

Govt dissolves ERB, Zesco boards
By Florence Bupe
Saturday July 07, 2007 [04:00]

THE government has with immediate effect dissolved the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) and Zesco Limited boards. Announcing the dissolution at a press briefing yesterday, energy minister Kenneth Konga said the move was meant to ensure that service delivery in the energy sector was enhanced. He said in the recent past, there had been widespread public calls for the dissolution of the two boards as they had failed to deliver services to the expectations of both government and consumers at large.

“In order to ensure that Zambia is on course in the petroleum and electricity sub- sectors, I have with immediate effect dissolved the Energy Regulation Board and Zesco boards. I have since directed the executive director of ERB and the managing director of Zesco to be reporting to my ministry through the office of the permanent secretary,” he said.

Konga disclosed that he would institute new board as soon as consultations were completed, and assured that his ministry would come up with strategies to ensure that the new boards perform to the stipulated standards.

“Our aim is to refocus our priorities in conformity with set targets in the energy sector, because we realise that energy is the lifeblood of any economy,” Konga said. “The ministry will ensure that the boards that will be instituted deliver according to expectations.”

He said the two boards were required to have maintained a steady supply of petroleum products and electricity, respectively, but that this had not been the case. He reiterated that it would be impossible to record any significant economic growth with dwindling energy supplies.

And Konga said his ministry would within the next 30 days make an official position on the pricing model for petroleum products in the country.

Labels: ENERGY, ERB, ZESCO

posted by MrK @ 3:50 AM