Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-04-19 01:03:03
Members of the Senate Committee on Public Corporation and Land, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment in Liberia are advocating for government institutions to be equipped with prepaid meters for better electricity regulation. This recommendation comes in light of the mismanagement of energy in government entities, leading to a significant debt owed to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
The majority of senators believe that the provision of prepaid meters to government entities is crucial as many officials tend to leave appliances running in their offices unnecessarily. This behavior contributes to the inefficient use of energy and adds to the financial burden on the LEC.
Senator Albert T. Chie, speaking on behalf of the committee, emphasized the importance of prepaid meters in helping the corporation recover its dues from the government. He highlighted that these meters would enable government entities to purchase electricity like private sector customers, thus ensuring timely payments and reducing the outstanding debt.
In addition to advocating for prepaid meters, Senator Chie urged stakeholders to consider privatizing the energy sector to encourage competition and investment in the industry. He proposed setting aside a percentage of electricity sales for debt servicing and incentivizing other energy providers to enter the market to break the current monopoly.
During discussions with LEC CEO Monie R. Captan, Senator Chie revealed that the recent power outages were not solely due to the debt owed by the government but were exacerbated by technical issues at power generation facilities. Captan explained that breakdowns at CI Energies, a regional electricity provider, affected multiple countries, including Liberia, leading to a strain on electricity supply.
Captan also attributed fire incidents to the use of substandard equipment and inexperienced technicians, underscoring the importance of maintaining quality standards in the electricity sector. Senator Chie emphasized the need for routine communication with customers to address concerns and improve the corporation’s public relations.
In conclusion, the Senate Committee on Public Corporation and Land, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment is advocating for the implementation of prepaid meters in government entities to promote responsible energy usage and timely payments. By addressing energy mismanagement and encouraging competition in the sector, they aim to improve the sustainability and efficiency of electricity services in Liberia.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
