The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) launched its first ever Integrity Committee intended to champion corporate values, national ethical principles and avert possible corrupt practices within the regulatory process in Zambia. In line with the COVID 19 Public Health guidelines, the launch was held in the ERB Auditorium at Head Office in Lusaka and was only attended physically by a few directors and senior managers, whilst the regional offices and other staff followed the proceedings through video-link.
Launching the ERB Integrity Committee (IC), Director General Ms. Langiwe Hope Lungu called for exemplary professional conduct among all ERB staff in their operations. She further called for adherence to set procedures and the Service Level Agreement (SLA) as a deterrent to corruption.
Ms. Lungu observed that an IC is key in the energy sector, particularly given the type of industry it regulates. It is critical in order to avert possible misconduct and also provide a safeguard for both internal and external operations. She cited some functions like Issuance of Energy Licences and Procurement Services as areas which needed to abide by laid down service levels and transparency in order to provide quality services.
Ms. Lungu noted that the ERB IC will help institutionalise corruption prevention within the ERB and the regulatory space in the energy sector. The IC would undertake awareness activities and promulgate policy guidelines that would prevent corruption among members of staff. She stressed that IC members are torch bearers of upholding ethical and moral conduct in their professional dealings.
The ERB IC was established in November 2019, following Induction and Training of its members by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The IC had since its establishment developed the ERB Integrity Policies which comprise the Code of Ethics; Whistle Blowers; Gifts and Benefits and Conflict of Interest on which staff will be sensitised.
Following the launch of the IC, suggestion Boxes will be posted at all the ERB offices in Lusaka, Kitwe, Livingstone and Chinsali as a platform for feedback from the public, license applicants and licensees, while a dedicated mobile number will be established in due course for submission of complaints to the IC. In the interim, issues for the attention of the IC maybe reported through the ERB Toll Free line 8484.