The National Electro-technical Committee (NEC) meeting was held at Metzy Residential Hotel.
The review was aimed at reflecting on the latest technological advancement in the sector and also positioning The Gambia among its regional counterparts.
Papa Secka, director general for the Gambia Standards Bureau in his remarks described the review and update of the MEPS particularly on refrigerators and air conditioners to align them to the requirements and modern specifications across the region and beyond as timely.
DG Secka added that the products are traded widely especially now that the African Continental Free Trade Area is up and running.
He observed that there would be other producers within the region who might be interested in the ECOWAS market, noting that it is therefore extremely important that they have requirements that speak more or less the same in equal terms to what already exists in the southern, eastern and northern regions of Africa.
He added that in addition to the current work, they have established the national lighting laboratory which is the first phase in the energy efficiency framework for lighting products as a start.
“We are on track with all the components related to energy efficiency and are optimistic that we will have the second phase of the laboratory up and running by the time the regulatory framework is finalised for these products,” he stated.
He highlighted that if they can achieve such milestones, it will really cement their position in ensuring they are energy efficient in all the products related to energy use in the country.
Mr Secka expressed grateful thanks and appreciation to the UNEP team for having done the ground work to identify some of the differences which need to be looked at by the team in a consultative way and achieve broader consensus.
Ya Awa Njie, a National Electro-technical Committee (NEC) member in her remarks on behalf of her president welcomed participants and urged them to effectively participate in the session.
She explained that NEC is responsible for developing standards in the electrotechnical space and developing the MEPS in refrigerators and air-conditioners.
Madeline Edl, an energy efficiency specialist for UNEP/U4E highlighted the importance of the review and update session, noting that the project has been running since last year and has already registered many successes.
