MERA calls on Malawians to adopt gas usage

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) says it intends to increase the number of people using gas for cooking by 3% in the next three years, as the latest reports show that only 0.2 % of people in the country are using gas as compared to other African countries.

Chief Executive Officer for MERA, Henry Kachanje, has disclosed that only a few people in Malawi use gas, pointing out that this is a result of the misconceptions people have about gas.

However, Kachanje said that the energy regulatory body has put in place various strategies to increase gas usage in the country.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources, Werani Chilenga, said the initiative that MERA wants to implement in making sure that a lot of Malawians adapt to gas usage is a good idea and has since called on MERA to consider involving the Ministry of Finance to remove the tax placed on gas.

Meanwhile, MERA Spokesperson Fitina Nkhonje said that they will soon start conducting awareness campaigns to dispel fears about gas and encourage people to adopt gas usage as it is safe and convenient as well as fast.

Social commentator, Billy Banda, has applauded MERA for the initiative, saying it is going to help save the environment in terms of climate change.