Monrovia — The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the International Consolidated Contractors Offshore (ICCO) have signed a 16 million United States Dollars agreement for the installation of a solar plant and the extension of the Mount Coffee Hydro plant.
LEC Managing Director, Monie Captan, signed on behalf of the corporation, while Ihab Serhal, Chief Executive Officer of ICCO, signed on behalf of the institution.
ICCO CEO Ihab Serhal exchanges deal with LEC Managing Director Monie Captan.
Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, LEC Managing Director, Monie Captan, said the agreement, named the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project, is sponsored by the World Bank. According to him, the project, which is expected to be completed within one year, will be able to supply electricity to Monrovia and its environs during the dry season.
Captan added that the project will also involve the expansion of the Hydro Plant in Mount Coffee to use solar energy to supply electricity both in the rainy and dry seasons. "This is the very first time in the history of Liberia that we are embarking on a solar energy project that is utility-scaled," he said, adding: "It will produce about 20 megawatts and will also help reduce the problem of electricity during the dry season."
"It will solve a huge amount of the electricity problem during the dry season, and it will provide additional electricity that we do not have today, making a significant impact."
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For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of ICCO, Ihab Serhal, assured the LEC that his company will endeavor to construct a solar plant that will serve Liberia for many years. He commended the Liberian government, led by President Joseph Nyumah, for its efforts in engaging in infrastructural development, especially in the energy sector.
The CEO of ICCO also thanked the World Bank for providing funding for the project. Serhal added that his company is not a stranger to Liberia, as they have constructed schools and hospitals for the World Bank in several parts of the country. According to him, ICCO would like to contribute to a sustainable power sector in Liberia by utilizing similar experiences in constructing solar plants in other parts of Africa. Serhal reaffirmed his company's commitment to high standards of environmental and health practices in its operations.
Also remarking at the signing ceremony, an official of the World Bank, Mohamed Sagib, assured the Liberia Electricity Corporation of the bank's fullest cooperation in making the project a success.
For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of LEC, Counselor Emmanuel Tulay, thanked the World Bank and ICCO for making the signing ceremony a success. The signing ceremony was graced by senior staff of ICCO, LEC, and the World Bank.
