EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GM Underscores Huge benefits of CLSG Project

Abidjan, CI, Tuesday, July 25, 2017: The development of the CLSG interconnection project will support local economies, creates jobs, and moves the CLSG countries toward a more reliable energy future, the General Manager of TRANSCO CLSG, Mohammed M. Sherif says in an exclusive interview with the TRANSCO CLSG Newsletter team in Monrovia.

According to Mr. Sherif, the CLSG project comes with substantial benefits for the national economies and local communities in Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. In addition to direct benefits, including new jobs, lower electricity costs, etc, Mr. Sherif said the project will stimulate economic growth and sharply reduce the countries’ current power deficit and reduce significantly the present use of expensive power generation.

“The benefit is so huge. It cut across health education, agriculture, etc. Students going to school don’t have to worry any longer about studying in the dark, or with candle lights. Once there is affordable and reliable electricity in town, you will have accessibility, reliability and the enhancement of education will be huge,” Mr. Sherif said.

The General Manager added: “Health facilities will operate 24-hour services to the public; farm to market production will be greatly enhanced. Farmers will be able to produce and preserve their crops with the affordable electricity that will be available to them. The economic impact will be very huge in terms of production, manufacturing, small business activities. Cost of production will be cut down and there will be more employment.”

The CLSG project will support economic growth and job creation as well as enhance the competitiveness of goods both regionally and internationally. According to Mr. Sherif, during the two-year construction period, the CLSG project team will give recruitment preference to residents living in the area near the project. This increase in employment will stimulate the local economy, leading to investment in new and existing businesses and additional job opportunities for residents.

Mr. Sherif said the project will particularly benefits the residents and economies of local communities near the project sites. New jobs including primarily unskilled and semi-skilled, will be created. In addition to improving the local economy, Mr. Sherif said, TRANSCO CLSG is committed to preserving the heritage and cultures of nearby villages, especially those in the line corridors.

He said TRANSCO CLSG is working with affected communities to help identify actions needed to fulfill those commitments.

An estimated 24 million people will benefit from the project when it is completed and commissioned in 2019.

TRANSCO CLSG is a transmission company with headquarters based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. The company is responsible for the construction of the 225kva transmission line, connecting Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.