In a significant turn of events, the Ministry of Energy will now operate under the direct oversight of President Julius Maada Bio, according to a public notice dated, 26 April 2024.
The announcement unveils a restructuring of the ministry’s leadership hierarchy, with key officials appointed to assist in the new directive.
Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor and Edmond Nonie have been appointed as Deputy Ministers, alongside other key figures, to support the presidential supervision.
This decision follows a recent crisis in Sierra Leone’s power supply, which experienced a brief period of low production. However, the situation has since been rectified through collaborative efforts between the government and energy producers.
“We are pleased to confirm that the power supply at full capacity to Sierra Leone has been restored following a brief period of low production,” stated a representative of Karpowership. “We are grateful for the government’s great efforts and continuous communication with us to resolve the fuel payments and supply chain problems, which have allowed us to restart operations swiftly and continue providing the people of Sierra Leone with reliable and uninterrupted electricity.”
The crisis also prompted the resignation of Energy Minister Kanja Sesay earlier today, amidst widespread blackouts in major cities like Freetown, Bo, Kenema, and Kono.
These blackouts were attributed to nonpayment issues with power producers Karpowership and CLSG.
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Finance took swift action, announcing partial payments to the power producers. An agreement was reached, resulting in the disbursement of US$17 million to Karpowership to address outstanding obligations.
Furthermore, to ensure uninterrupted power supply, the government has transferred an additional US$1.5 million to TRANSCO-CLSG, strengthening ties with Cรดte d’Ivoire.
The Ministry of Finance released a statement emphasizing ongoing discussions with independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reassess existing contracts, aiming for a sustainable and dependable energy provision.
In a commitment to address systemic challenges, the Ministry of Finance pledged intensified collaborations with the Ministry of Energy and EDSA to implement reforms geared towards enhancing the financial stability of the Energy Sector.
