Leaders in government have expressed their determination to focus on “foundational” problems to tackle the country’s challenge with electricity. At the weekly government press briefing, both the Minister of Finance and the Chairman of Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security emphasized on the need for a sustainable solution.
Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella said: “To change an energy system takes time, it takes 30-40 years. It cannot be political and you the citizens must know every regime that comes will have to put down its own foundation,” while adding that: “We the citizens must know that this is a structural issue, it’s a systemic issue, it’s not a quick fix.”
Finance Minister, Fantamadi Bangura also emphasized on the same approach, which he said will be done by building on the strengths of the country in the energy sector. Bangura said Sierra Leone’s long-term solution will be to build on its hydro potential across the country and blend it with solar, an approach the finance minister say has already impressed investors.
All these remarks come at the backdrop of a huge win for Sierra Leone, which saw President Bio mobilize investment to the tune of $800million at the OPEC roundtable last week. The investments will target energy and agriculture and help to address the long term ‘structural’ issues with both sectors.
Dr Yumkella said the country laid five key energy projects for potential investors to look at; scaling up Bumbuna from 50MW to 120MW, 50MW in Kamakwei, 50MW in Bikongoh, Dodo hydrop project scale up from 6MW to possibly 12MW and 15MW in Singimi, Moyamba District.
“To build all this infrastructure is difficult but it is doable in the next 3 years with all the money we are getting,” Dr Yumkella said.
Minister of Information, Chernor Bah said all of these investments have been made possible because of the transformational work and leadership the President has shown and the calibre of the people he has assembled to serve the country. He highlighted how the President’s approach, which is selfless.
“It is not about President Bio alone, it is about all of us; me you and all other people and what we can do to take Sierra Leone forward,” Bah said.
Dr Yumkella and the Minister of Finance said a lean team of technical experts has already been assembled by President Bio to track down all those potential investments, and some of the money could be ready in the coming months to invest in projects like Bumbuna and Tormabum.
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, July 5th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)