Action learning to engage stakeholders in Suriname's Energy sector
Project managers at Suriname Electricity Company (EBS) are familiar with dealing with (internal government) stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement as a structural approach to results-based project management is a different ball game for the state-owned private company.
CPC, together with the Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT) facilitates a one-year action learning process within EBS to introduce tools and methods for a structured stakeholder engagement process. The project is part of a Caribbean Development Bank-supported drive to strengthen social and environmental safeguards and contribute to quality service delivery.
Power sector planning decisions are complex. They cannot be solved by a single government agency, institution, or interest group. Stakeholders can directly affect the successful outcome of power-sector projects when proactively engaged via transparent and regular communications. Addressing stakeholder concerns early in the project cycle can help avoid obstacles and save valuable time and money.
Mr Eyndhoven, the CTO, was quoted as saying: "at Energy Bedrijven Suriname (EBS), we recognize that our decisions and actions in conducting our work impact a wide variety of individuals, companies, and organizations. Consultation and feedback from our stakeholders will help us make better decisions, improve our operations and processes' transparency and predictability, and build widespread societal and customer confidence in our business."
Because of Covid restrictions, the CIDT facilitated action learning project used online training and coaching methods, introducing a company guideline and handbook on stakeholder engagement.
"Increasingly, effective and meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential to fulfilling EBS' role to provide clean energy to all Suriname citizens. It allows our citizens and customers to become informed and also influence what we do". Such engagement also forms part of Suriname's ambitions in contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This way, EBS is also contributing to achieving Goal no 7: Affordable and clean energy.