– Several Interns Certificated after Successful Practicum
-Clarifies ‘Non-Salary-Paying’ Accusation to Sub-Contractors
IPNEWS-Monrovia: In 2018, the Liberian Government signed a Transmission and Distribution contract with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Liberia, MBH Power Limited and Intec-Gopa to design and build 66KV over headlines and extension of existing 66/22/0.400KV Power Lines that will help Monrovia to absorb more electricity from the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant to be transmitted to substations on Bushrod Island, New Kru Town, Capitol Hill, Congo Town and Paynesville.
The Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmissions and Distribution Project was said to have had a 24-months duration. A similar project was implemented under the 9th EDF for the electricity grids. Under the two programmes, the EU earmarked and invested approximately €100 million Euros into Liberia’s energy sector.
In collaboration with the EU, the National Authorizing Office (NAO) Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning monitors the project to manage, coordinate, programme and oversee the EU-funded projects in Liberia.
Madam Stefania Morrone, First Counsellor- Head of Green Team, EU Delegation to Liberia
One of the companies the Government of Liberia contracted through the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is MBH Power Limited – Liberia.
MBH Power Limited is a total energy solutions company that provides world-class services to meet the growing demand of the power sector in emerging markets. It focuses on EPC solutions in Transmission and Distribution, Metering & Energy Audit and Turnkey solutions in Conventional & Non-Conventional Power Generation. MBH Power Limited is said to have also embarked on development of a 300 MW Independent Power Producer project in Nigeria.
MBH Power is a member of the Tolaram Group of companies (www.tolaram.com). Tolaram Group has been in business for more than 60 years. It is headquartered in Singapore with business interests in Asia, Africa and Europe. The Group trades with companies in over 75 countries. It has a diversified portfolio consisting of Consumer Goods, Infrastructure, Energy, Digital Services and other interests which include Distribution, Financial Services, Paper Products, Real Estate and Textiles.
Foundation of company’s growth over the years is expertise and deep understanding of power industry, importance of energy and ability to translate them into socially and economically desired solutions through leading edge technology and highly skilled human resources.
MBH Power was incorporated as a Limited Company to provide premium services to energy sector of the country and commenced operations in the year 2004. Also expanding its international footprints, established through power contracts and supplies since its inception, today MBH is spread over Nigeria, Ghana, India, Tanzania, Liberia, Niger, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Gambia, Cameroon, UAE and Singapore. With the foundation of its rich experience, MBH Power today is heading towards exploring opportunities to enlighten future generations.
MBH Power Limited – The Liberia Connection
Mr. Rupesh Mahapatra, MBH- LACEEP AF Project Manager.
MBH Power Limited Liberia is a total energy solutions company that currently provides world-class services to meet the growing demand of the power sector in emerging markets. It focuses on EPC solutions in Substation, Transmission Distribution and Metering.
They have been in Liberia and worked on the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expanded Project (LACEEP) and LACEEP Additional Financing (AF) projects six years ago Funded by the World Bank for the Liberian People. MBH also completed the Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmissions and Distribution Project also funded by EU for the Liberian People.
‘Light up Monrovia’ Project – Through Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution
The Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution, according to the EU and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), aims to contribute the reduction of poverty in Liberia through increased access to electricity in keeping with its plan and design.
For the first time since the Liberian conflict ended, about 41,200 homes in Monrovia and its environs have been electrified through the Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution project.
With the total cost of the project is about 61,000,000 Euros, the project has provided transmission and distribution systems, which were lacking at the time. Currently under the ‘Light up Monrovia’ Project, there are about 2,400 street lights that are installed along the major streets and communities of Monrovia. The Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution has also trained about 40 engineering students (both males and females) of the University of Liberia and Stella Maris Polytechnic.
Certification of the Interns (UL and Stella Maris Students) following Practicum Completion
On Friday, October 21, 2022, MBH Power Limited – Liberia held a certification ceremony of interns and issuance of provisional acceptance certificate under the Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity & Distribution – Works Contracts – Lots 1 & 2, where about 40 interns from the University of Liberia and the Stella Maris Polytechnic were certificated having worked along with trained electricians (both local and international) under “The Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission and Distribution” project as ascribed under the Light up Monrovia project.
An official of the National Authorizing Office at the Finance Ministry presents certificates of appreciation to two MBH staff for a job well done
At the Bella Casa Hotel in Sinkor, Madam Stefania Marrone, First Counsellor – Head of Green Team, EU delegation to Liberia, on behalf of Ambassador Laurent Delahousse – Head of the EU Delegation to Liberia and the entire EU family, praised the MBH Power Limited – Liberia for ensuring that the Liberian government is helped to extend access to electricity, after the EU secured US$61 million to fund the programme titled: “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission Distribution captured under its programme: “Light Up Monrovia (LUM) Project”, to connect 41,200 new households to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) grid in Monrovia and its environs.
According to Madam Marrone, the National Authorizing Office (NAO) Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) in partnership with the EU and in collaboration with the LEC and MBH Power Limited-Liberia, commissioned various batches of engineering interns and young engineers.
“These girls and boys came from the Engineering Departments of the government-owned University of Liberia (UL) and the Catholic-owned Stella Maris Polytechnic University. These students and young engineers were selected through a rigorous screening process, participated in the designing and construction works of the ‘Light up Monrovia Project’. They were deployed at several construction sites, and were trained on electrical, civil and general engineering,” Madam Marrone disclosed.
Madam Marrone disclosed that, so far, “the EU-funded Light up Monrovia Interns Programme’ has trained more than 40 young engineers, highlighting her joy and gladness to see both male and females young Liberian students participating in the project.”
“Participating in an engineering internship allows students to be prepared to enter the market in their chosen career.
I congratulate the youthful Liberians for their completion of the traineeship. Having engineers in the making to work along experts, through an internship programme has significantly helped increased the capacity of young Liberians in the field of engineering.”
“The opportunity given to senior students and recent graduates has been a great occasion. You have been exposed to electrical facilities and works, equipment and materials that you never saw it the classroom. We wish you nothing less but best in your future careers.
Mr. Aneesh Nair, MBH- Light Up Monrovia Project Manager
On behalf of the National Authorizing Office (NAO) unit at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Atty. Martus K.W. Bangalu disclosed that the project has accomplished what was designed four years ago.
According to Atty. Bangalu, the program was designed to accommodate students studying civil and electrical engineering at the UL and Stella Maris Polytechnic. According to the Atty., the project helped the students to enhance their careers for the future.
Giving their respective experiences, the interns both from the UL and Stella Maris Polytechnic university lauded the EU, the LEC, MBH, the Ministry of Finance NAO unit and the Government of Liberia as well their respective universities for giving them the opportunity to obtain practical knowledge in their field of studies – Engineering – having acquired the theoretical aspect in the classrooms.
According to the interns, the Light up Monrovia project implemented by MBH Power Limited – Liberia with funding from the EU has given them the practical foundation on which they will build their careers as they endeavor to fulfil their respective dreams as electrical or civil engineers.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Engineering College at the University of Liberia, lauded the EU, LEC and MBH Power Limited – Liberia for affording both their students and those from the Stella Maris Polytechnic University for the internship, which afforded their graduates and incoming graduates to experience the practical aspects of engineering having obtain the knowledge in the classrooms.
He called on the NAO and LEC and its partners to institute a feed-back mechanism that will appraise their intern students, which in the end will highlight the weaknesses or strength that can be built upon to strengthen the various engineering colleges at the UL and Stella Maris Polytechnic.
The Stella Maris Polytechnic representative said the certification of the interns exemplified their top-notch performances of the students during their course of field works for six, twelve and 17 months.
Hon. Dele Shobayo, Executive Director Planning, Engineering & Major Connections proxy for LEC Board Chair, Monie Captan, on behalf of his Boss lauded the EU for its steadfast partnership to the LEC after a devastating civil crisis that ruined the fabric of Liberia. He lauded the MBH Power Limited – Liberia for the quality of work done at the various sub-stations under the Light up Monrovia project.
UL and Stella Maris Polytechnic Interns awarded certificates following completion of their job training with MBH Power Limited – Liberia for the Light up Monrovia Project
He said the internship provided a robust practical experiences for the UL and Stella Maris Polytechnic interns after a robust theoretical studies in the classrooms, and the experiences gained in the field will be of great dividends in the future development of the interns as they enter the real world of work.
The Executive Director Planning, Engineering & Major Connections assured the people of Liberia of the quality of work done by the interns under the direct tutelage of MBH Power Limited – Liberia for over the period of 17 months; and looks forward to continuously working with the EU and its partners in strengthening the quality and capacity of the LEC in service delivery to the Liberian people.
He said the Board of the LEC was very happy that the internship has prepared the interns and put them on the path of becoming full engineers having acquired practical experiences under the watchful eyes of MBH Power Limited – Liberia.
Hon. James Dorbor Sao, Assistant Minister for Economic Policy, MFDP, proxy of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, he acknowledged EU being a very strong partner to the Government of Liberia in different sectors, including electricity, agriculture, energy, education among others.
He disclosed that the EU has spent more than 100 million euros to help Liberia rise from the ashes of war to a development path in different sectors. The Assistant Minister for Economic Policy disclosed that Liberia needs a lot more in terms of energy generation after the EU and other partners have funded the energy expansion and distribution in the country.
The Assistant Minister for Economic Policy then lauded the MBH Power Limited – Liberia for the good works done in the power expansion and distribution project of the LEC with funding from the EU and called for future collaboration and working together to make Liberia work again for its people.
LACEEP AF FINAL CLOSURE
Meanwhile, MBH Power Limited – Liberia have been in Liberia and worked on the Liberia Accelerated Electricity Expanded Project (LACEEP) and LACEEP Additional Financing (AF) projects six years ago Funded by the World Bank for the Liberian People. MBH also completed the Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmissions and Distribution Project also funded by EU for the Liberian People.
Mr. Jose Miguel, LEC/World Bank LACEEP AF Project Coordinator
On Thursday, October 20, 2022, the LACEEP AF project which was signed with the Government of Liberia in 2017, amended in 2018 and implementation started in 2019 has come to an end.
At the Thursday program held at the D’Calabash Resort in Congo Town, MBH Power Limited – Liberia disclosed the completion of five power sub-stations, with locations in Paynesville, Gardnersville, Stockton Creek, Virginia and Klay in Bomi County.
Under the watchful eyes of MBH Power Limited – Liberia, the contractor hired by the LEC with funding from the World Bank, completed transmission lines from Paynesville to Gardnersville; Gardnersville to Stockton Creek; Bushrod Island to Virginia, outside Monrovia and from Virginia to Klay in Bomi County.
As far as the Distribution phase is concerned, MBH Power Limited – Liberia completed MV-250 Transformers installations; MV-Conductor / Line 400 Km; LV – AB Cable stringing 500 Km; as well as planted a total electrical poles of 17,200 and street lights installed totaling 1,500.
There were 51,400 customers/homes connected to the grid, through the meter system, MBH Power Limited – Liberia was able to cover the following areas, including Garnerville Township, Barnersville Township, New Georgia, Diggsville, Caldwell, Virginia, Bomi County and Grand Cape Mount Counties.
MBH Clarifies ‘Non-Salary-Paying’ Accusation to Sub-Contractors
Meanwhile, MBH Power Limited – Liberia has clarified media reports that it had awarded non-performing sub-contractors contracts on any of its previous World Bank or EU projects, stating that those reports in the Liberia may have come from their competitors who are trying to unseat them in acquiring EU or World Bank projects.
MBH Power Limited –Liberia says it will provide detail account on how it outsources contracts to sub-contractors in our subsequent publication to dispel the notion that it is doing business with non-performing contractors.
At the same time, MBH Power Limited –Limited has assured Liberians, as well as the EU and the World Bank including future partners that is prepared at all times to provide quality service in whatever project that they will secure to provide energy for Liberians and other parts of the world.
