Freetown, Sierra Leone – President Julius Maada Bio has assigned new responsibilities to Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, appointing him as the Chair of the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG), an initiative aimed at enhancing coordination and effectiveness within the Ministry of Energy.
In a notice from the Office of the President dated August 20, 2024, Secretary to the President Emmanuel A.R.
Gaima stated, “I am directed by His Excellency the President Brig. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio to write and inform you of his decision to assign you special responsibilities as the Chair of the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG).”
The EGCG has been established to ensure coherence, effective information sharing, and coordination within Sierra Leone’s energy sector, specifically focusing on the operations of the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC).
The notice outlined the key responsibilities of the group, including:
1. Providing technical guidance: The EGCG will oversee the technical delivery of the energy sector’s entities, ensuring their efficient operation.
2. Supporting immediate challenges: The group will provide facilitating and catalytic support to address immediate and short-term challenges within the sector.
3. Reforming energy policies: It will back policy and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing the sector’s performance.
4. Promoting investment: The group will guide the design and rollout of sector investment promotion initiatives.
The EGCG will be composed of various key figures in the energy sector, including the Deputy Ministers of Energy, Chairpersons of EGTC, EDSA, and EWRC, the CEO of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Minister of Finance.
The group is expected to provide regular updates to President Bio, Vice President, and Chief Minister every two weeks.
This appointment aligns with Dr. Yumkella’s broader role as Chairman of the Presidential Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, further strengthening Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing its energy sector.
