The Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) has decided to introduce licensing for professionals working in the utilities sector, the authority has said.
Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, URA Director of Utility Management Ali Mishaal said work was under way to establish the necessary arrangements to allow Maldivian professionals working in four sectors to practise with a licence.
The authority will recognise professionals based on their experience and qualifications, as well as their skills and competence to work in the relevant field, Mishaal said.
The four sectors identified for professional licensing are electricity, water, sewerage and waste management. Mishaal said the purpose of licensing people providing utility services was to ensure that the quality of services delivered in these sectors meets the required standards.
As part of the work to introduce licensing for utility professionals, a system to identify people working in the electricity sector has already been established, Mishaal said. He added that work would begin shortly on licensing professionals working in the water and sewerage sectors.
“We are also putting in place the necessary arrangements to identify professionals working in the waste management sector, as well as to provide licences to those involved in the design and development of related systems,” Mishaal said.
URA Energy Engineer Ahmed Naufal said the authority was strengthening its administrative procedures for inspecting and monitoring utility service providers.
He said the authority was developing additional regulations and working to ensure that utility services were delivered through a transparent system. Service providers would be inspected to protect customers’ rights, with instructions issued to address areas requiring improvement, Naufal said.
“Among the benefits people receive is access to reliable and sustainable services. We check water quality every day. Electricity services must also meet certain standards,” Naufal said.
URA is a government authority established to regulate and oversee public utility services in the Maldives. Its responsibilities include maintaining consistent service standards, safeguarding the rights of consumers and ensuring that a system is in place to handle complaints.
The authority operates under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.