ECCAS, CEMAC energy experts brainstorm on ‘White Book’

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong in Yaounde
 

Energy experts from the Economic Community of Central African States, ECCAS, and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, CEMAC are meeting in Yaounde to brainstorm and validate the ‘White Book’.

The review of the regional policy for universal access to modern energy services and economic and social development, code named ‘White Book’, opened at Hilton Hotel in Yaounde yesterday.

The meeting in view of the validation of the ECCAS/CEMAC ‘White Book’ is bringing together ministers and other officials in charge of  energy from Cameroon, Angola, Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Soa Tome and Principe and Chad.

Organised by ECCAS and CEMAC in a bid to achieve the ‘White Book’ vision 2030, the project is benefiting from the technical and financial support of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.

While opening the sub-regional multi-disciplinary meeting of experts, the representative of Cameroon’s minister of energy and water resources urged participants to fine-tune better strategies of closing the energy gap in the sub-regions.

Deliberations at the come-together are focussed on the examination of the tentative documents to ensure that it conforms to norms which can guarantee easy access to energy within the rural and urban sectors.

The ‘White Book’ 2035 vision of sustainable energy for all, is principally based on: good governance at local, national and regional level; energy security and development of renewable energy, notably hydro-electricity; and equality, inclusive development and the reduction of poverty.

So far, the investments to cover the period 2014-2030 will cost 9.8 billion US dollars while the 2014-2040 period will gulp 14.8 billion US dollars.

 The official ‘White Book’ presentation ceremony which is placed under the patronage of the prime minister will take place on Friday October 17.