Presidential aide Magalasi moves to MERA as CEO, replaces Chioko

Economist Collins Magalasi who has been workings chief adviser to the president has been redeployed to as chief executive officer for the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera), Nyasa Times understands.

Magalasi leaves State House to replace   Ishmael Chioko who has been working as MERA acting CEO.

Chioko, a lawyer by profession, remains at the regulator as its legal advisor.

He was appointed Mera acting CEO effective September 15 2016when   Mera chief executive officer Raphael Kamoto was sent on forced leave by the board to pave the way for investigations into an alleged diversion of K3 billion from the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF).

Chioko’s appointment followed the sending on leave of another Mera senior boss, director of finance Elias Hausi, to pave the way for the same investigations.

At that time, Mera director of electricity and renewable energy Welton Saiwa took up the post of acting CEO.

Magalasi is former Malawi Economic Justivce Network (Mejn) and Afrodad executive director.

Mera board chairperson Bishop Joseph Bvumbwe  said he was on the road, as such, it would be difficult for him to promptly comment.