IPNEWS: Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Mines and Energy, has expressed high optimism in prospects of standardizing the Country’s energy sector for effective and reliable service delivery to stimulate economic growth and development.
At the climax of a three-day sector validation workshop intended to identify gaps within Liberia’s National Energy Policy of 2009, to ensure the document conforms with current realities, Deputy Mines and Energy Minister for Operations, William Hines, said the government is impressed with progress the stakeholders consultation achieved during the recent review exercise. Representing Acting Minister Eudora Blay-Pritchard, Mr. Hines stated that recommendations forwarded by the energy sector entities are of required significance to completing and adopting a revised national policy on energy service delivery in Liberia.
Deputy Minister Hines made specific emphasis on the sixty percent progress reported from deliberations by the petroleum sector, as well as electricity, which he says, signals a big boost to seeking technical expertise in updating the 2009 National Energy Policy. While commending participants for their insightful contributions to the deliberations, Mr. Hines said, the Ministry of Mines and Energy seriously considers recommendations to extend the consultations to fully conclude on validating the National Energy Policy for final approval.
In separate remarks, National Oil Company of Liberia official, Timothy Kudah Jarry, Rural Renewal Energy Agency Deputy Executive Director, Stephen Potter, and Assatu Kaya, an executive of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), thanked the government for prioritizing a reform process that will synchronize regulations surrounding the provision of sustainable and affordable energy services to support national development.
Last weekend’s revision was part of continued efforts to make necessary changes to the 2009 energy policy and put Liberia on par with global counterpart s. When finally adopted and approved, the policy is expected to distinguish roles and responsibilities of energy sector institution of the Liberian government to promote greater cooperation and coordination. The reforms being discussed also aim to increase Liberia’s production capacity, increase access to energy services and promote the use of technology and innovation.
