Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, Paul Thole, has urged land owners and property developers to fully comply with electricity regulations relating to connectivity.
Mr Thole has drawn specific attention to the revised electricity regulations on wayleaves and clearances.
He notes that many parts of the country, including Eastern Province, continue to face challenges in managing electricity infrastructure corridors, a situation that hinders sustainable development.
The Permanent Secretary has expressed concern over the illegal human activities around high-voltage power lines and encroachment on wayleaves by unplanned settlements, describing them as major threats to the effective management of electricity infrastructure corridors.
Mr Thole made the call in a speech delivered on his behalf by Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lewis Mwape, during the Wider Stakeholders Engagement Seminar on Electricity Wayleaves and Clearances Regulations.
“The government has promulgated these regulations as part of its broader commitment to ensuring that the electricity sector operates in a manner that is safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sustainable,” he said.
Mr Thole noted that the regulations were recently issued under the Electricity Act of 2019 through Statutory Instrument number 2 of 2026 to enhance public awareness, understanding and compliance with the new regulations.
He added that compliance with the new regulations will not only improve public safety, but also enhance reliability of power supply and ultimately increase and safeguard the electricity investment.
“Enhanced enforcement of the clearance standards provided in these regulations will significantly reduce electrical accidents and save lives,” he said.
And Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Electricity Engineer, Humphrey Ngwale, explained that the regulations ensure safe distances between electricity infrastructure, people, buildings and vehicles.
Mr Ngwale added that the regulations safeguard electricity assets and third party property from damage during infrastructure development.
He emphasised the need for compliance to the electricity regulations, adding that the move is key to not only community safety but the protection of property and livelihoods from electrical hazards.
