By Esther Banda
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) on Thursday, March 12, 2020 launched its third Strategic Plan (2020 – 2024) and Customer Service Charter in the capital Lilongwe.
The Strategic Plan and Customer Service Charter are products of extensive consultations and collaboration with stakeholders.
The Strategic Plan seeks to guide the operations of MERA in regulating the dynamic electricity, liquid fuels and gas sector in the period 2020 to 2024.
The Strategic Plan also builds on the successes and lessons experienced over the eleven years that MERA has been operational.
Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining Bintony Kusaira observed that the lack of adequate energy in our country has been the single major constraint to our national development.
“The launch of MERA’s strategic plan is coming at the right time because Malawi’s energy sector is undergoing a transformation as the country races towards a middle income status. This growth will lead to increase in energy use to power the economy. The eneymix is also expected to undergo further rebalancing to include new and renewable energy sources.
“MERA’s regulation of the industry should therefore result into predictable and reliable energy supplies to ensure the country has energy security in terms of supply, quality and distribution. This calls for a development of a strategy to take the country into a new direction in the energy sector,” says Kusaira.
MERA Board Chairperson Reverend Dr. Joseph Bvumbwe said that the Service Charter has clearly set standards to govern MERA’s performance.
Bvumbwe said that the Charter is a promise that MERA will deliver the various Services within the set time frames.
“The Charter aims to enhance service delivery and provide a form of social contract with MERA’s clients,” he said.
Mera’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Collins Magalasi said it was not an easy task to finalize the two documents that has been launched today.
The launch of the Strategic Plan and Service Charter, therefore, signifies a renewal of our commitment to regulating the energy sector for sustainable development and delivering high quality service.
