Also, Government is also allocating from the domestic capital budget an amount of Le99.6 billion to the energy sector for the rural electrification project involving the procurement of thermal plants and transmission and distribution lines as well as solar streetlights for the district headquarter towns. The amount also covers the procurement and installation of a 30 megawatts HFO thermal plant for the Western Area and support to the Bare Foot Women Solar Project.
It also includes counterpart contributions to donor-funded projects in the energy sector. An amount of Le5.0 billion is also allocated in the domestic capital budget for the electrification of the Lumley Beach area.
In conclusion, Minister Saffa informed Members of Parliament that Sierra Leone is endowed with abundant natural resources. If harnessed well and exploited on a sustainable basis, they will provide us with the financial resources to build infrastructure and provide education and health services. To support the efficient management of these resources, Government is allocating Le5.4 billion to the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources for the review of the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 and to support Artisanal Miners and Small-Scale Mining Entrepreneurs.
The amount also includes Le2.9 billion allocated to the National Mineral Agency. The Petroleum Directorate is also allocated Le6.8 billion for the effective governance and management of petroleum resources. An amount of Le5.5 billion is allocated to the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment for the implementation of the National Land Policy, among others and Le1.4 billion to the National Protected Areas Authority.
Furthermore, the Minister said Government is allocating Le35.1 billion from the recurrent budget to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, including Le13.0 billion to the National Tourist Board for the development and implementation of the Tourism Marketing Strategy and Le 7.2 billion to Monuments and Relics Commission for the rehabilitation of various historic building and sites nationwide. The National Railway Museum will receive Le4.9 billion.
The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs is allocated Le4.4 billion from the domestic capital budget to support the construction of the Cultural Village and the National Arts Gallery, implementation of the Beach Sanitation Project and the reactivation of Domestic Tourism in the country.
