In an attempt to ensure its five years’ action plan comes into fruition, Liberia Energy Access Practitioner (LEAP) Network has become the validation of its members with the aim to serve as robust propellant to drive the network plan.
Speaking during the validation of its plan at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, the President of the network, Royston Gbelia, said it is seriously significant at this critical juncture in the history of the network to congregate and validate its five years’ action plan that seeks to educate the citizenry on climate change and deforestation. He said the network has a commitment to making sure that the issues of energy are secured for all Liberian.
The Network, established in 2016, represents local business and key stakeholders committed to enhancing energy access through the promotion of renewable energy technologies. LEAP’s membership currently includes 49 entities- the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Rural and Renewable Energy (RREA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with international development partners. The network has played a pivotal role in promotion fiscal incentives for renewable energy product and advocating for reform.
According to him, in achieving universal access to sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy is a critical objective for Liberia socio- economic development because data shown proves that 31.8% of the country population has access to electricity while rural electrification is at mere 14%. He said this deficit does not only impede economic growth but aggravates poverty and limit access to essential services, especially in underserved areas.
Mr. Gbelia who is Chief Executive officer(CEO) of Green Energy, emphasized that the strategy plan tends to adequately address challenges by creating an enabling environment for private sector participation, supporting policy reforms that encourage renewable energy adoption thus fostering multi –stakeholder collaboration. The strategy is integral to catalyzing Liberia’s transition to sustainable energy which aligns with both national goals and international commitment, such as Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7).
Interestingly, the he said the network is of the conviction that validation process of the strategic action plan reflects the priorities and interest of all members of the LEAP Network. Accordingly, the process will provide a platform for members to review, discuss, and finalize the strategic plan by ensuring it is comprehensive, actionable and well supported.
According to him, the primary objectives of the process are, to facilitate a shared understanding of the strategic plan’s component and rationale behind its proposed actions, secure members input and recommendations to refine the implementation of strategic actions and identify relevant stakeholders their roles, and their capacities to support the execution the strategic plan, amongst others.
For her part, the administrator of the network, Lily Olive Saah, encouraged participants at the validation process to register and be captured on the roster especially for non-members. She not that it was important for them to do it because it would alleviate the burden especially to be in the know of those that bring substandard product on the market. The program was attended by over 40 participants from all parts of Monrovia and its environs.