Maravi

Government lacks people to effect policies - energy PS

Government lacks people to effect policies - energy PS
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Fri 26 Aug. 2011, 08:40 CAT

GOVERNMENT ministries lack people and managers to implement the "tonnes and tonnes" of drawn policies, says energy permanent secretary Teddy Kasonso.

Speaking when he officiated at the first ever renewable energy forum organised by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), Kasonso described as a ‘tragedy' the failure by the government to implement its own policies.

"The tragedy for Africa, and Zambia is no exception, is that we sit on tonnes and tonnes of information and education but the problem is implementation," Kasonso said.

"Managers and people to implement these policies that we make for ourselves, we don't have. Ministries have got tonnes and tonnes of policies agreed upon but never implemented. I hope yours conference on renewable energy will not be sat on. We must run fast and implement what you are going to discuss here."

Kasonso said the current power shortage at regional level, rising international oil costs, protection of the environment, the need for clean energy, and using energy to reduce high poverty levels in the country had seen a growing demand for renewable energy sources.

"The Zambian government is also keen to see the growth and development of renewable energies in the country so that contribution of renewable energy to the national energy mix is increased," said Kasonso.

Earlier, ERB vice-chairperson Ida Nkhoma said renewable energies were a clean source of energy, relatively cost-effective and an appropriate solution for mitigating the current power deficit, resulting in reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

"To further enhance our role in the sub-sector, the ERB has refocused its strategy and established a unit to specifically handle matters pertaining to renewable energy," said Nkhoma.

"This gives us the regulatory edge to adequately address and respond to the needs of stakeholders in the sub-sector."

The two-day workshop which closes today was aimed at promoting the development of the renewable energy sector with a specific focus on mini-hydro, biomass, energy crops, wind energy and geothermal energy.

Labels: ENERGY, PERMANENT SECRETARIES, POLICY, TEDDY KASONSO

posted by MrK @ 5:19 PM