LERC Licenses JEP
Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission has licensed Jungle Energy Power, the sole electricity distributor in Nimba County
As a Liberia first private entity to distribute electricity
The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission has licensed Jungle Energy Power, the sole electricity distributor in Nimba County, to distribute electricity in Nimba and beyond for the period of five years, beginning July 2021 to July 2026.
At a presentation ceremony held at the Jackie Guest in Ganta on August 14, the Board of Director of LERC, Dr. Lawrence Sekajipo, presented the large micro utility distribution license that will allow the distribution of electricity without any discrimination to customers within Nimba in accordance with the license term and condition.
“The expectation of Liberians with respect to accessing reliable and affordable electricity is high,” he said.
“The commission would like to send a clear and distinct message that Liberia is open for critical investment required to cover the infrastructure deficit of the electricity sector,” he explained.
Dr. Sekajipo further noted that the commission has developed tariff regulations and technical codes which will further define the rules for ensuring smooth operation and the sustainability of the electricity sector.
JEP was awarded the contract by the Liberia Electricity Cooperation in 2016 to manage the Nimba Grid of the LEC, which is supplied by the West Africa Power Pool from the Ivory Coast as a parlor project for a period of 10 years.
The board, as well as management of the Liberia Electricity Cooperation, expressed the pleasure to the JEP for the first five years in the parlor phase, something they claimed substantiated the need to award a license to the entity for the remaining five years as a recognized electricity distributor in the country to carry out distribution of electricity in Nimba and beyond.
“It is the commission’s expectation that the JEP will commit to achieving the goals set within the established targets and benchmarks,” he added.
The licensing ceremony was attended by scores of officials from the LERC, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Commissioner Michael P. Korkpor, and Managing Director Mr. Augustus Goanue, and the legal counsel of the entity, amongst others.
Mr. Goanue in a remark alluded that the LERC is creating and maintaining a conducive regulatory environment for all Liberians, especially those that are investing in the electricity sector.
The CEO of JEP, Mr. Floyd Tomah, extended his gratitude to the LERC for having the explicit confidence in his ability to work in the energy sector in Liberia, adding, “This did not we come overnight; it is through our hard work, commitment and dedication in serving our country that has brought us this far.”
Giving a brief history of JEP, Mr. Tomah explained that the entity took over Nimba Grid when there were only 700 customers connected, but currently the company has connected over 7000 customers of varying categories.
Currently, the Jungle Energy Power is connecting Bahn City based on the agreement with the government, where President Weah, during his February visit to Bahn, broke ground to commence the electrification process.