Monrovia – A global non-governmental organization Mercy Crops says the provision of renewable energy to the people of Liberia remains a focus point of its operations in the upcoming years.
Report by Jackson F. Kanneh, [email protected]
The organization’s country Director Kwesi Gyeabour said renewable energy, which is not popular in Liberia as per Mercy Corps statistics prove that only two percent of the over 4 million people in the country used renewable.
He said the NGO, in collaboration with major solar power providers including the Rural Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), GIZ/EnDev as well as other international partners in the energy sector, will provide cheaper and affordable energy across the country.
He was speaking over the weekend at a meeting of stakeholders of the renewable energy sector held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor. New code of officers of the Liberia Energy Access Practitioner (LEAP) was also inducted into office.
The Mercy Crop boss said the provision of energy is key to the development of any nation.
“Mercy Crops has focused her attention on the provision of renewable energy for our people, because we realize that energy is essential in improving the livelihood of the people. And also, because that sector is not very active here in Liberia,” he said.
“We also realize that we cannot growth as a country if we do not have access to energy. So, we hope the private sector will take the lead in the provision renewable energy to the people of Liberia.”
Speaking further, the Mercy Crops country Director noted that with the implementation of the LEAP program Mercy Crops and stakeholders in the sector, Mercy Crops will definitely achieve her goal by providing renewable energy to household across Liberia by the year 2030.
“We believe that with collective effort we can make this work, if we keep the LEAP network going until 2030, we will help give the people access to renewable energy,” he averred.
For his part, Royston Gbedia, the newly inducted president of LEAP, assured Mercy Corps and other partners in the renewable energy of his organization willingness in promoting the renewable energy sector.
He promised to organize skill-training workshop for members of his organization as they strive to improve the sector.
“Our quest to make renewable energy products affordable across the country, why it is true we are still in the early stage, LEAP intends to be a platform to connect, share, inform and incorporate people in the renewable sector,” he stated.
Also speaking, Light Up Liberia (LUL) program manager Emmanuel Aziebor said the extension of renewable energy across the 15 counties will greatly improve the living condition of the ordinary Liberians.
Others LEAP officials inducted were Karnus J. Hayes, vice president and Bill Z. Johnson as Secretary General.