A three-member delegation of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) has commended efforts by The Gambia to host the 4th Annual Forum of the regulatory Authority which will be held from 20th to 21st November 2013 in Banjul. The Forum is to promote cooperation and exchange of information amongst the regulatory bodies of ECOWAS Member States. It also serves as a platform for discussions aimed at regulators and all stakeholders in the electricity sector in West Africa. The delegation which was led by the Principal Legal Expert of the institution, Mr. Oumar Bangoura, included ERERA’s Head of Administration and Finance, Mrs. Amelie Kone as well as the Head of Communication, Mr. Uwem Thompson, arrived the country late on Tuesday, 8th October 2013. Their three-day mission was to assess the state of preparedness of The Gambia to host the 4th edition of the event, which is now getting continental and global attention in the electricity sector. Members of the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Energy, Mrs. Teneng Nba Jaiteh, and described discussions with her as “very fruitful and encouraging”. In addition, they met with the Director-General of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), Mr. Abdulie Jobe as well as members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC). “We feel like The Gambia is ready to host the event, even if it was to begin today”, said the elated delegation, after holding talks with different stakeholders and visiting the conference venue, inspecting hotel, printing and other facilities, among other activities.
Stakeholders from the energy sector of ECOWAS Member States, including the Ministries in charge of Energy and Finance, national regulatory authorities, utility companies, parliamentarians, academics, researchers, consumer groups and other civil society organizations, are expected to attend the 4th Forum. Also expected to participate are banks and financial institutions, regional and international institutions, development partners, as well as other regional economic communities (RECs), regulators’ associations from across Africa and Europe and the general public. The Forum will be preceded by a two-day meeting of the regional Consultative Committees of regulators and operators in the electricity sector.
