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Cameroon: Energizing the Electricity Sector
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Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
22 February 2008
Posted to the web 22 February 2008
Martin A. Nkemngu
The official commissioning yesterday at Hilton Hotel, Yaounde of the newly-appointed Board Chairman and General Manager of the Electricity Development Corporation (EDC) marked an important milestone in the on-going effort by government to resolve problems of shortage of electricity supply in Cameroon.
The Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Jean Bernard Sindeu told the new EDC board chairman Victor Mengot, (Minister in charge of Missions at the Presidency) and Célestin N'donga, General Manager, that their appointments marked an important step in government's reform of the electricity sector. From the way things are gong, it is obvious that government is seriously worried by the frequent shortage of electricity supply and is leaving no stone unturned to redress the situation.
In his New Year message to the nation on December 31, President Paul Biya dwelled at length on the question of energy supply which he described as "an obstacle which we have not yet been able to overcome." The Head of State underscored the need for Cameroon to have an adequate supply of electricity to ensure our economic and industrial development and to meet household needs.
It is obvious that this concern is behind the creation by government of various structures to cater for the electricity sector. Apart from the privatization of the national electricity company SONEL, government has set up structures such as the Rural Electrification Agency (AER), the Electricity Regulatory Board (ARSEL) and now the Electricity Development Corporation (EDC) all aimed at reforming and improving the energy sector. In addition, there are several projects underway aimed at improving the supply of electrical energy, badly needed for the development of local industries. Projects underway include the construction of the Lom-PAngar dam and the Memve'Ele and Nachtingal hydroelectric dams. With all this in place, it is time to pass into action. In the words of President Biya, this is the time for "action to be taken, decisions made, commitments honoured and, in case of failure, conclusions drawn."
It is expected that all necessary action will be taken to enhance the effective take off of the existing structures. Such should include making all financial, material and human resources available to those charged with the responsibility of developing the electricity sector.
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And given the importance of electricity in our development, there is no time to waste. For EDC to study, manage or follow up projects in the sector of electricity, it takes more than sheer expression of intent; it requires competence, integrity and sense of general interest. Those installed may have the qualities needed but they must all be provided the means to translate dreams to reality and urgently too. For, in matters of electricity, there is no time to waste. Or else how do we explain that Cameroon is second after the Democratic Republic of Congo in hydroelectricity potential?
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