Moves by Dominica to improve the standards in the electricity sector are at an advanced stage.
The Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) hosted a one day seminar at the Fort Young Hotel on Wednesday in which several local players in the sector participated.
Regulations Manager at the IRC, Francis Paul, told Dominica News Online that the standards of local electrical contractors must be raised so that they can work in any part of the world. “We must raise their standards, not only for their benefit, but also for the benefit of the general public and to ensure that we maintain health and safety,” he said.
He said several areas of concern will be explored in order to improve the sector.
“We’ll be looking at various topics at this seminar: we have the fundamentals of electricity – a lecturer from the college is doing that – we will be looking at electrical testing and renewable (energy) is also another area we are looking at,” he disclosed.
The seminar also featured presentations by experts in the field who examined all facets of electrical works, including renewable energy in a regulated environment.
Certification of electricians in Dominica could also soon become mandatory, Paul noted.
The IRC is this week celebrating its 5th anniversary.
that is thing to make me pay for light i already pay more than i have to they want to kill me with there improvement
I express my appreciation of the efforts of the IRC under the leadership of its present CEO. The IRC, a new concept and entity in Dominica, is really making strides to establish itself as a credible regulator. One hopes it grows stronger. Energy is taking on greater importance for Dominica.
I totally support the IRC in their quest to tame the savage beast Domlec.
thats a very good idea for certificate to be mandatory in d/ca for electricians.
I support certifying local electricians 100%.I’m sure we will see improvements in the quality of service and adherence to internationally accepted electrical safety standards.I’m a certified electrician.I took a bold step and undertook the National Center For Constrution Education and Rresearch classes in the U.S.Yes it was a combination of classroom, field work and hands on demonstrations under qualified supervision.
I’m encouraging all local electricians to embrace this opportunity.By the way i’m licensed in Maryland and the Virgin Islands.Way to go Dominica.State College lead the way.
And while you all are at it, can you all make it ok to have a light switch in the bathroom instead of outside the bathroom – like other nations on the planet earth? It’s so anoying to go into the bathroom and have to come out again to turn on the lights.
Safety FIRST!!! u wouldn’t want to be touching a switch with your wet hand, now would you?
Francis, I think you misspoke here. I know you are a man of high standards. You said certification “could”, I am sure you meant certification “WILL” soon become mandatory.
An electrician friend of mine just returned from Dominica and he was amazed at how little they had to know before calling themselves electricians. We have to raise our standards.
Good start though.