Government has written Public Appointments Committee of Parliament to facilitate the process of removing the board of directors for Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority on grounds of incompetence.
In a letter addressed to PAC Chairperson, Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zangazanga Chikhosi says the removal of the board in related to the hiring of MERA chief executive officer.
“Following the poor handling of the recruitment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority by the board of directors. It has been decided by Government that the MERA board of directors should be removed from office on grounds of incompetence,” reads part of the letter.
According to Chikhosi the removal from office is subject to inquiry and approval by the Public Appointments Committee pursuant to Section 8of the Energy Regulation Act.
The appointment of current CEO, Henry Kachaje, was mired in controversy as it was challenged by people who felt they had performed better than him during interviews.
The aggrieved person, Richard Chapweteka, sought relief from the Ombudsman whose subsequent investigation faulted the board for bending written terms of reference.
The determination by the Ombudsman was blocked by MERA through legal redress.
One board member, Phempho Likongwe, resigned in the wake of those revelations.