OPC seeks consent to fire Mera board

Office of the President and Cabinet has written the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament requesting its approval to remove the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) board of directors.

The board is being accused of handling poorly the recruitment of Mera chief executive officer Henry Kachaje.

This follows a report by the office of the Ombudsman last year which faulted Kachaje’s recruitment, arguing that he did not satisfy all the requirements for the post.

In a letter dated February 18 2022 addressed to PAC chairperson Joyce Chitsulo, Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi said government has decided that the Mera board be removed from office on the grounds of incompetence.

Reads the statement in part: “Pursuant to Section 8 of the Energy Regulatory Act, the board’s removal from office is subject to inquiry and approval by the Public Appointments Committee [PAC].

“It is against this background that the committee is requested to approve the removal of the board of directors of Mera after satisfying itself of the incompetence of the board.”

In an interview on Wednesday, Chitsulo confirmed to have received the letter, adding that the committee has set up a meeting with the board in Blantyre on Saturday to hear its side.

“According to procedure, when we received the letter, we held a meeting and agreed to invite the board. From there, according to what we will gather, we will either approve or turn down the request to remove the board,” she said.

Mera spokesperson Fitina Khonje said she saw the letter on social media.

On the future of Kachaje, Khonje said PAC, the addressee of the letter, will advise on the way forward.

However, Chitsulo said the committee does not deal with issues to do with the CEOs office.

The Ombudsman’s report indicates that three separate complaints were lodged in relation to Kachaje’s appointment.

In her determination, Ombudsman Grace Malera faulted Mera for shortlisting Kachaje.