Mera sensitises stakeholders on energy laws

The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) on Monday held a sensitisation workshop on energy laws which was attended by stakeholders.

Speaking in an interview, Eunice Potani, acting chief executive for Mera told The Nation that they held the workshop to familiarise stakeholders with energy laws.

“This workshop will give stakeholders enough information which will ensure that there is consistency in the way we deal with energy law enforcement and enactment,” said Potani.

High Court Judge Chifundo Kachale, chairperson of Malawi judiciary training committee, said it is the lack of information which results in petty sentences being passed and lack of proper guidelines in the lower courts as some of the problems that are in cases involving energy.

“Sometimes the judges do not understand the fines that are there for crimes to do with energy,” said Kachale who was also the facilitator of the workshop.

One of the participants at the workshop principal resident magistrate of Limbe Datton Road magistrate court, Kingsley Mlungu, said the sensitisation workshop has equipped them to have the right information on energy issues so that they make right judgment and sentences.

“Without being conversant with the energy laws, errors are inevitable but now we go back to our respective courts knowing what we need to do,” said Mlungu.

The sensitisation workshop was attended by stakeholders in the energy sector among them being members of the Judicial system, police and Mera staff.