• MR Yaluma (right) presents the SBP to ERB executive director, Ms Lungu. Looking on (from right) is director of Energy Mr Charles Mulenga, ERB board chairperson Pastor Geoff Mwape, Vice board chairperson Mr Ellyson Mulenga and Board member Ms Everlyn Kangwa.
By KWALI MFUNI-
“A GOAL without a plan is just a wish”
Borrowing from a French author – Exupery, the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development, Christopher Yaluma did not mince his words when he launched the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) 6th Strategic Business Plan (SBP) on October 3.
At the event held in Lusaka, Mr Yaluma quoted Exupery’s renowned words: “A goal without a plan is just a wish…” when congratulating ERB on the launch of its sixth SBP but hastened to caution that this was not an end in itself but merely defined a path to guide the regulator’s operations in order to meet consumer and stakeholder expectations.
The minister said he was looking forward to seeing positive results in the sectorand urged ERB to go beyond the development of an SBP and ensure that it is implemented in order to meet aspirations of energy consumers.
He was quick to point out two goal statements articulated in the SBP outlined as follows:
•To increase compliance by licensed entities to energy facilities, infrastructure, services and products technical standards from an average of 75 to 80 per cent by December 2016.
•To attain cost reflective tariffs and margins for improved viability in the energy sector by 2016
Under the first goal, consumers and indeed stakeholders in the energy sector should expect to see more ERB presence on the ground largely to ensure that licensed entities provide the expected services and products.
A typical example will entail heightened adherence to standards following the introduction of a grading system for filling stations to alert consumers about the state of infrastructure at fuel retail sites.
Armed with information about prevailing standards, consumers will have a choice to usea filling stationwhich meets their aspirations.
With respect to the second goal, Mr Yaluma emphasised the need for ERB to attain cost reflective tariffs to attract private investment in the electricity supply industry.
He added that this wouldnot only increase investment in the power sector inthe country but also provide consumers with alternative service providers.
Mr Yaluma expressed hope that with the implementation of the SBP, ERB would live upto its new mission:”To regulate the energy sector in order to ensure the efficient provision of reliable and quality energy services and products.”
“I hope it will not be business as usual but that ERB will diligently implement the set standards and live up to its new mission,” he said.
Speaking at the same function, ERB Board chairperson, Pastor Geoff Mwape, assured the minister and stakeholders that ERB was in addition to its mission also determined to live upto thenew vision: “A proactive, firm and fair energy regulator”.
He said ERB would endeavour to implement the SBP through rigorous monitoring of licensed entities; review of electricity tariffs in order to provide for efficient and cost effective supply of energy services and products as well as enhancinghandling of complaints.
Pastor Mwape said that ERB would also collaborate with other Government agencies in order to better meet stakeholder aspirations.
ERB executive director Langiwe Lungu who made a presentation prior to the minister’s symbolic launch of the SBP, said the regulator considered a number of issues when developing itsplan.
Key issues included the need for the regulator to align with Government policy, the National Development Plan, electoral cycle as well as emerging energy issues.
Ms Lungu said stakeholders such as the Government and licensed utilities were consulted while Management Development Division, Cabinet Officeprovided technical support.
To achieve its vision, mission and goals as well as provide the ERB with specific accountabilities against which its performance will be measured in the next three years, the following six (6) objectives will be pursued:
•OBJ 1: To monitor the performance of licensed entities in order to ensure the provision of quality energy products and services;
•OBJ 2: Regulate the energy sector in order to ensure efficient and cost effective supply of energy services and products;
•OBJ 3: To effectively enforce mechanisms for complaints handling and protection of energy consumers in order to meet their needs;
•OBJ 4: To effectively manage financial, human resources & logistics in order to improve the organizational performance;
•OBJ 5: To effectively promote collaboration with government agencies to ensure compliance with the laws; and
•OBJ 6: To effectively plan, monitor and evaluate the implementation of programs in order to ensure achievement of set goals and objectives.
Readers can access the SBP from the ERB website www.erb.org.zm. ERB welcomes comments and contributions which can be submitted to:The Manager Public Relations on erb@erb.org.zm.
Editor’s note: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, officially Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint Exupéry (29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944, Mort pour la France), was an aristocrat French writer, poet and pioneering aviator.
