By Sheku Putka Kamara and Sulaiman Jalloh

During the fifth sitting of the second session of the sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Members of Parliament unanimously approved the four hundred eighty million dollars (US$480 M) Minimum Challenge Cooperation (MCC) grant to the government of Sierra Leone from the American government. The grant which was signed on Friday, September 27, 2024 between the government of Sierra Leone and the American government aimed at improving access to electricity in the African country.

Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, minister of finance while laying the agreement document in Parliament said the MCC agreement grant will increase access to energy which will impact the country’s medium national term development. He noted that the millennium challenge will also increase the generation component to a thousand megawatt from two hundred and fifty megawatt in five years and an estimated percent of sixty (60%).

Minister Bangura alluded that, more power will be delivered in the country, hence a greater population of about 4.6 million citizens will have direct impact and access to energy at an affordable cost and a reliable energy supply throughout the nation. “The investment will increase the financial viability of EDSA” he underscored

Hon. Alex Rogers of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Parry (SLPP) representing the people of Pujehum district who is also the chairman of the defense committee termed the agreement grant as ‘important and historic agreement’, noting “This agreement is very compelling to approve without a debate”. According to him, the agreement will provide sustainable energy. “With this agreement electricity will be enhanced to access the country” he lamented while calling his colleagues from both aisles to ratify the agreement

Hon. Ibrahim Barrie of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party representing the people of Bombali District while thanking the American government and the people of Sierra Leone said the MCC will improve the country’s governance system and enhance democracy.

Talking about the conditions attached to the agreement, the Law makers advised that the government should be mindful of the need to fully implement the 84 recommendations of the tripartite committee emphasizing that his party is in full support of the compact.

Hon. Abdul Kargbo leader of opposition in the Parliament calls for the making of good use of the MCC compact while the acting leader of government business Hon. Bashiru Silikie called for unity.

House Speaker Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas said the sixth Parliament is a far cry to the fifth Parliament in terms of being united for development matters while thanking both the government and people of Sierra Leone for the achievement and the government of the United States of America.