Freetown, March 11, 2025 – Members of Parliament from Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), have voiced strong concerns over the country’s worsening energy crisis.
During their monthly press briefing, the lawmakers criticized the government’s handling of the power sector, particularly the suspension of the Bumbuna Phase Two project.
Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, detailed the setbacks suffered by the project under the current administration. He argued that had the project continued as planned, it could have significantly alleviated the country’s electricity problems. Kamara highlighted key milestones, including the completion of a Technical, Environmental, and Social Feasibility Study in 2013, as well as Parliament’s approval of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Implementation Agreement (IA) in 2017—a 25-year capacity-based contract meant to enhance energy supply.
However, according to Kamara, the project was halted by the then Minister of Energy, even as the company was preparing to relocate residents affected by the project. He revealed that the government had raised concerns over costs and tariffs, leading to stalled negotiations despite several attempts by the project’s investors, Seli Hydropower Limited (SHPL), to address these issues. He claimed that in April 2022, SHPL and the government reached an agreement to adjust the project’s financial model, but no progress was made.
Kamara accused the government of abandoning the discussions altogether, after alleging that SHPL had sought external intervention from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).
He further stated that all project documents were transferred to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General’s office, effectively freezing the project.
Electricity Crisis Not an Act of God’ – APC MPs Blame Government Negligence
Adding to the opposition’s concerns, Deputy Leader 2, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, condemned the government’s handling of the energy sector. He dismissed claims that the administration had expanded electricity access, stating that instead, key power stations inherited from the previous government—including Black Hall Road, Lungi Power Grid, and Lunsar—were dismantled or abandoned.
Koroma further criticized what he called a *divide-and-rule” strategy, alleging that government-led infrastructure and energy projects disproportionately favor the South-East, while the North-West remains neglected. He argued that the **APC had promoted balanced national development**, whereas the current administration’s approach had worsened regional disparities.
Meanwhile, Hon. Mahmud KKamaram pointed out that Sierra Leone’s power crisis is a result of poor governance, not an act of divine will.
He highlighted the shutdown of ADAX (now SUNBIRD), a major biomass energy producer, which he attributed to political bias and mismanagement. Kamara also revealed that 80% of EDSA employees are unpaid volunteers, a situation he said had crippled efficiency in power distribution.
APC’s Call for Solutions
The APC MPs concluded their address by urging the government to:
– Revive the Bumbuna Phase Two project to increase national power generation.
– Repair and reactivate power stations that have been shut down or abandoned.
– Improve workers’ welfare in the energy sector, particularly at EDSA.
They emphasized that without urgent intervention, Sierra Leone’s energy crisis will continue to worsen, impacting businesses, education, and daily life across the country.
