FIVE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) board members have resigned, citing “concerns about how they are being required to conduct themselves”.

In a letter dated September 29, 2021 addressed to the Energy Minister Peter Kapala, ERB board vice-chairperson Israel Phiri said his decision to resign had been arrived at based on his firm belief to uphold the highest standard of corporate governance to abide within the laid down rules, procedures and regulations.

“Notice of resignation as a board member of the Energy Regulation Board-self. I hereby give notice of my intention to resign as member of the board of ERB upon the expiry of one month from the instant date, pursuant to regulation 2(3) (d) of the Energy Regulation Act No.12 of 2019. The law under section 3 subsection 3 states that ; the first schedule applies to the Energy Regulation Board. Regulations 2 (1) and 2 (3) (d) of the first schedule made pursuant to section 3 of the Energy Regulation Board Act no 12 of 2019 provide that 2 (1) a member of the board shall subject to the other provisions of this schedule, hold office for a term of three years. 2(3) (d) The office of a member shall be vacated (d) on the expiry of one month’s notice of the member’s intention to resign, given by the member in writing to the minister,” read the letter.

“My decision to resign as a member board of directors of the Energy Regulation Board has been arrived at based on my firm belief that this is my duty to uphold the highest standard of corporate governance and to abide with the laid down rules, procedures and regulations which in my considered view are unfortunately in conflict with the ways I am now being required to conduct myself on the Energy Regulation Board. On the 1st of December,2020 the honorable Minister of Energy appointed me to the Board of Directors of the Energy Regulation Board for a period of three years pursuant to regulation 5 of the Energy Regulation Act No 12 of 2019. I wish to humbly and sincerely thank the Office of the honorable Minister for having accepted my recommendation by the Engineering Institution of Zambia and the subsequent appointment, thereby affording me the opportunity to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Energy Regulation Board.”

The other four board members wrote similar letters to the minister.

And in a brief interview, Kapala confirmed that he had received the resignation letters but said board chairperson Monde Kabwela had not resigned.