Prospects High for Liberia’s Energy Sector Standardization -Deputy Mines Minister Confirms Ongoing Strides by Actors

Deputy Mines and Energy Minister for Operations, William Hines, has spoken favorably about progress being made by the Joseph Boakai administration to standardize the country’s mine and energy sector.

According to him, the government is impressed with progress the stakeholders’ consultation achieved during the recent review exercise and that the Government holds high optimism in prospects of standardizing the Country’s energy sector for effective and reliable service delivery to stimulate economic growth and development.

He made the assertions when he represented Acting Minister Eudora Blay-Pritchard 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.

Mr. Hines told the gathering 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.

He 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, 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.

A Mines and Energy Ministry release noted that the 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 release said, the policy would help 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.