« LThe Government is working (…) for a reduction in the prices of petroleum products and electricity“, assured the communication unit of the Ministry of Energy, Oil and Mines (MEPM).
Indeed, following the news reporting a probable increase in fuel prices, following the joint order setting the rate and base of the fee from the Energy Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE) , the services of Birame Soulèye Diop maintain that on the contrary, “ the Government is working with all the services concerned, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, Oil and Mines (MEPM), for a reduction in the prices of petroleum products and electricity, as well as better targeting of the grant« .
« The fee has always existed…
According to the press release from the Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines, “ the work is advanced and the results will be shared as soon as possible… It is important to recall the legal basis which justifies the signing of the order in question. The fee, established by article 26 of law no. 2021-32 of July 9, 2021 relating to the creation, organization and attributions of the CRSE and its implementing decree no. 2022-1593 of September 12, 2022, aims to guarantee the operational autonomy and independence of the Energy Sector Regulatory Commission (CRSE), like similar practices in other sectors such as telecommunications or electricity at the regional level, particularly with the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Sector Regulatory Authority (ERERA)… The fee has always existed and operators in the electricity sector have always paid it since its creation in 1998, at the former Electricity Sector Regulatory Commission. And due to the extension of regulation to downstream hydrocarbon activities and downstream and intermediate gas segments, it appeared legitimate to extend the payment of this fee to operators operating in the newly regulated sectors.« .
In accordance with the provisions of the texts…
In addition, the press release continues, “ the fee is designed to be fair and proportional to the activities of regulated players in the sectors concerned: electricity, downstream hydrocarbons, intermediates and downstream gas. Indeed, none of the players holding an import, storage, transport and/or distribution license in the downstream of hydrocarbons, intermediary and downstream gas, pays royalties as This is the case in other sectors while the CRSE ensures, among other things, to guarantee their financial viability… Also, it should be remembered that the CRSE did not fail to consult and inform the stakeholders concerned in advance about the ins and outs of this fee which contributes to the correct management of regulatory activities in the electricity and hydrocarbons sectors, in accordance with the provisions of the texts cited above« .
