By Austine Luseni
Chairman Energy Governance Coordination Group,EGCG,Dr.Kandeh Yumkella,has used the occasion of the Government of Sierra Leone Weekly Press Briefing to keep citizens posted on the transformational plans and endeavours in the energy sector.
It could be recalled that,at the recently convened Presidential Energy Sector Retreat,His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio announced the appointment of Dr. Kandeh Yumkella as the sector head in the energy sector and encouraged sector stakeholders to collaborate with the view to achieving government’s overall policy objective.
Dr. Yumkella gave a persuasive overview of the lay of the energy land,highlighting strides made in the areas of generation, transmission, vending, and policy and administrative reforms while also cataloging the challenges that continue to beset the sector.
He said President Julius Maada Bio did not mince his words when he challenged stakeholders at the retreat to develop positive and collaborative mindsets and formulate and implement transformative actions that will enhance the provision of a reliable and affordable electricity across the country.
Dr. Yumkella said repair works on plants at Blackhall Road and Kingtom will soon commence in line with the short-term plans as directed by the President,adding that there were also plans to purchase and or import electricity from neighboring countries and other countries in the sub region.
He spoke about reforms at EDSA and plans to privatize some components of the utility.
Deputy Minister of Energy l,Dr. Eldred Taylor l,said energy issues were critical issues, noting that the Ministry was committed to pursuing President Bio’s vision and energy aspirations.
He spoke about mini grid operations in particularly the rural areas and commended the government and development partners for their support in that domain.
Deputy Minister of Energy II,Ing.Edmond Nonie,spoke about the everyday efforts at ensuring that the technical aspects of operations were seriously monitored for effective service delivery.
He commended the novel Service Delivery and Coordination Meeting initiative involving the EGTC,EDSA and other departments which he described as useful.
National Coordinator Sierra Leone Compact Development Unit,Ndeye Koroma, commended international partners for their support to the sector,noting that the MCC Compact will prove hugely beneficial to the sector.
EDSA Board Chairman ,Ing. Andrew Kallie, said it was necessary for reforms to be instituted at EDSA. He spoke about accessibility,reliability and affordability of electricity.
With the energy sector and the Feed Salone agenda being inextricably linked, reforms continue in the sector.
