The distribution and marketing of electricity in the Republic of Congo is now entrusted to the National Electricity Company of Senegal (Senelec), for a period of ten years. A leasing agreement on this subject was signed last week between the two countries.
The agreement that entrusts the management of the segment related to the distribution and marketing of electricity to Senelec was signed by the Minister of Energy and Hydraulics, Emile Ouosso, and Pape Mamadou Diop, General Manager of one of Senelec’s subsidiaries, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Anatole Collinet Makosso. Through this contract, the Congolese State no longer holds the monopoly on the distribution and sale of electricity, but retains control of pricing in accordance with the provisions of this agreement, which has 75 articles.
According to the Prime Minister’s advisor, head of the hydrocarbons, electricity and energy transition department, Jean Jacques Ikama, the missions assigned to the farmers include the management, maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the performance of the public electricity distribution sector and billing systems. It also involves recovering debts and monitoring subscribers in the context of electricity marketing. The staff transferred to the farmers retain the rights and benefits as well as the seniority previously acquired after the effective employment audit.
Senelec CEO Pape Toby Gaye described the agreement as historic. “What we have just signed has a historic significance that will strengthen the ties between the two countries through sister companies. In view of the results and the visits we had and which will be consolidated by the audit that will be carried out, I think that in ten years or even less, we will be able to effectively straighten out the sector and move towards performance ,” he hopes.
It should be noted that as part of the modernization of the sector driven by ongoing reforms, Energie Électrique du Congo (E2C) has been established as a heritage company. As such, it holds a 15% stake in all segments of the energy market covering the production, transport, distribution and marketing of electricity.
