Filenews 6 October 2021 - by Chrysanthos Manolis
A few days ago the energy minister and other government and party officials were celebrating on social media for the adoption of three bills towards the formation of a legal framework for the competitive electricity market. Among the bills was the one that differentiated the status but mainly the operation of CERA and its office, as an independent authority for the regulation of the energy sector. Two weeks later, the information of "F" reports that the Ministry of Energy and the government failed to appoint on time president and vice-president of CERA, with the result that the term of office of the existing officials expires on Monday, October 4th and since then CERA remains legally inactive, at a particularly critical time, with the whole of Europe being in the midst of a huge energy crisis!
This development was made known by an EAC agent, who, when asked about the agenda of the EAC Board meeting scheduled for today with the leadership of CERA, replied that the meeting was cancelled because there are no president and vice-president in CERA and the independent regulatory authority is prevented from operating until the Council of Ministers takes a decision to fill the two positions.
The end date of the two members of CERA was apparently known... for years and there is not enough justification for this government negligence. It may be that the decision on the two appointments was scheduled to be taken at the last meeting of the Cabinet, last Thursday, which was not held, but this was not held, in order to make it easier for the members of the body to attend the funeral of Averoff Neophytou's father. Now, appointments will have to be made at the next meeting of the Cabinet, but they will not be valid immediately, as it is required, according to the legislation, consultation with the European Affairs Committee of the Parliament and publication in the Official Journal. This means that for about 15-20 days CERA will remain inactive and president Andreas Poullikkas and vice president Alkis Filippou are obliged not to participate in any official activity or decision of the Authority.
According to the legislation, CERA consists of three (3) members and is appointed by the Council of Ministers, after consultation with the Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs. CERA is the National Independent Regulatory Authority for Energy of the state and is legally distinct and functionally independent from any other public or private entity. It takes autonomous decisions, independently of each political organisation, and draws up separate financial forecasts, with autonomy in the implementation of the budget and sufficient human and financial resources to carry out its tasks. CERA may appoint members of the staff of CERA's office, who are deemed necessary for the performance of its duties.
