By Peter Kollie
ZORZOR CITY, LOFA COUNTY-Over 100 solar streetlights have been installed in the City of Zorzor, thereby enhancing nighttime safety and visibility. The solar project, implemented under the renewable energy initiative of the World Bank, aims to improve the lives of residents and travelers. The project is a nine-month-long project, according to project officials,
Zorzor City Mayor, Yanquoi Dolo revealed that the solar lights have a lifespan of 10 years and has a security alerts system to prevent vandalism. Mayor Dolo described the project as a milestone development for the people of Zorzor and Lofa County at large.
The solar project is part of the Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project for Liberia, and it aims to increase access to electricity and improve the operational efficiency of Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). The project cost is US$10 million, and comprises of three components.
The first component is rehabilitation and expansion of electricity infrastructure and systems and access expansion. The second component focuses on electrification of health centers and households in off-grid rural areas and support the design and implementation of pilots for reaching dispersed communities through stand-alone solar systems and test the implementation arrangement for privately delivered single-community mini grids.
The third component, technical assistance for institutional reform, capacity building of sector institutions, and implementation support to LEC will support an extension of the current management service contract (MSC) and a transition from the MSC to a full-time sustainable management including training and capacity building of LEC.
In a relative development, Mayor Dolo has called on residents of Zorzor to embrace community clean-up efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining city ordinance.
