ECOWAS Parliamentarians Adopt Strong Recommendations for Energy Efficiency in the Region
The delocalised meeting of the Joint Committee on Energy and Mines | Industry and Private Sector | Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources | Infrastructure of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on energy efficiency, came to an end on Thursday, 12 August 2021.
More than ten presentations were made by high-level experts, enabling Parliamentarians of the region to have insight into issues relating to energy efficiency.
At the end the meeting, ECOWAS Parliamentarians adopted various recommendations, including the need for the ECOWAS Parliament to create a platform for continued engagement with private sector operators.
The MPs called upon the various governments of the region to take active measures to reduce electricity tariffs, to create the necessary political and legal environment for supporting the private sector operating in the field of electric power.
They also recommended to governments to explore possibilities of involving the private sector in the implementation of regional electrification projects, to clearly identify areas that have the potential to contribute to poverty alleviation, and to electricity companies of the region, to take into account the real importance of renewable energies and to adjust development strategies.
The delocalised meeting, further, recommended to the ECOWAS Parliament to leverage parliamentary diplomacy to support the ECOWAS Commission in mobilising the necessary funding for the implementation of regional energy projects.
At the end of the meeting, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis reiterated the key role of the private sector in promoting energy efficiency because it represents “one of the most powerful forces that can improve lives, strengthen communities and fast-track the self-reliance of the region”.
To enhance living standards in the region, it is necessary to constantly explore new technologies and innovations, indicated the Speaker Tunis, who said he believed the meeting is a new beginning toward energy efficiency. However, to achieve this goal, “we need to demonstrate political commitment” he concluded.
