Like in any other professional sector, preparations are underway for electrical professionals and contractors working in the energy sector of Liberia are set to be licensed soon.
The government of Liberia through the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) in collaboration with line ministries, agencies, and stakeholders has validated the draft Certification and Licensing of Electrical Professionals and Contractors Regulation, Wiring Regulations, and Liberia Electrical Wiring Code for Liberia Electrical Professionals.
The Certification and Licensing of Electrical Professionals and Contractors Regulations will set standards for electrical professionals and contractors undertaking electrical work.
At the same time, the Wiring Regulations and Liberia Electrical Wiring Code establish requirements, procedures, and practices for the enforcement of minimum standards for the distribution of electrical energy in all types of structures and construction works across the country by Electrical Professionals and contractors.
Speaking at the Stakeholders Validating ceremony, the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) Chairman of the Board of Commissioners (BoC) Dr. Lawrence D. Sekajipo informed participants that the Commission did embark on the exercise in keeping with “best regulatory practices and has engaged stakeholders, development partners, and affected parties for their meaningful inputs and recommendations”.
“The successful completion of the validation begins a new milestone in the history of electricity regulation and sends an unequivocal message that the LERC is prepared to regulate the electricity sector and provide an enabling environment for safe, stable, and reliable electricity thereby improving the economic sector of the country”, Dr. Sekajipo asserted.
According to him, the three validated regulations will be submitted to the Board of Commissioners for approval before its implementation.
He however lauded the European Union, and the National Authorizing Office (NAO) at the Ministry of Finance and Development for support to the drafting and validating of the two regulations.
For his part, Mr. Kelvin K. Gongbaye who represented the Mines and Energy Ministry lauded the Commission for initiating the process and assured the Commission that the Ministry will provide support to the process.
He disclosed that participants that the ministry is currently working on a biodiversity policy for Liberia’s energy sector which will shortly be released to the public.
Also speaking, the head of the Technical Regulations Unit at the Commission, Abu Dekontee Sanso informed participants that the implementation of the three regulations instruments will come into force immediately upon the LERC Board of Commissioners’ approval and following a transitional period of Two years.
He however disclosed that penalties and fines for non-compliance shall be imposed after the Two years transitional period.
It can be recorded that, in early February of this year, the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) and its partners held a two-day technical workshop for stakeholders to review and make inputs into the three regulations.
The validation process which was led by the LERC brought together representatives from government line Ministries and agencies including Mines and Energy Public Works, Education, EPA, RREA, tertiary and vocational institutions, electricity operators, solar PV installers, and renewable energy firms, among others.
