LEA TO BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW

The Minister of Natural Resources Dr. ‘Mamphono Khaketla will officially launch the first ever electricity regulator in Lesotho, the Lesotho Electricity Authority (LEA) at a function to be held at Maseru Sun Cabanas on Thursday, May 04 2006 at 11h00.

The Minister will launch the LEA to raise awareness among all local, regional and international stakeholders about the presence of the regulator and its role in the Lesotho and regional electricity sector.

At the ceremony the LEA logo will also be officially unveiled to the invitees.

Under the LEA Act 2002 (Act no. 12 of 2002), the LEA’s duties include issuing and enforcing licenses, regulating prices and protecting the interests of all classes of electricity users. The Authority also has been established to set the standards for supply and service of electricity.

LEA was established in 2004 but only became fully operational in late 2005. Before it existed there was no regulator and the Government played this role directly. The establishment and launch of the Authority is meant to ensure effective and transparent regulation of the electricity sector.

Under this new era, many local entrepreneurs may and will be expected to enter the electricity market as generators, distributors and suppliers, thus helping to increase the electrification rate in the country, which also stands at the centre of the Government's efforts to improve the quality of life of the Basotho.

Expected at this occasion are Government Ministers, Representatives of the World Bank (WB), African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union, members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Electricity Regulators Association (RERA) and all Lesotho electricity sector stakeholders.