Karpowership Sierra Leone from the Karandeniz Group yesterday Thursday 30th June 2021 issued a press release stating that they will shut down operations in Sierra Leone if the government fails to pay the huge debts they owe them.
Karpowership stated that they will cease operations in Sierra Leone on 5th July 2022, if they do not receive their payment.
“With the hopes of receiving our overdue payment we are writing you as part of our goodwill and our relationship based on trust that we cannot continue our operations further than 5th July, 2022 unless we receive the outstanding invoices,” Karpowership stated.
They added: “We have mentioned this in our letter in reference (A) above, whereby we issued a notice of default. This gives us a contractual right to suspend electricity generation as of 22nd June 2022 which was two days ago. We did not suspend electricity then, with the hopes of receiving our overdue payments today, we are writing you as part of our goodwill and our relationship based on trust, that we cannot continue our operations further than 5th of July unless we receive the outstanding invoices.”
They further stated: “If by the 5th of July 2022 we do not receive the above-mentioned amount, we regret to inform you that we shall be unable to generate and supply electricity due to the inability to supply crucial components and parts for the Powership including lube oil and spare parts-which are mandatory to have safe and reliable operations.”
“We hope to receive the payment prior to that date, so that we can continue operations. But if we will have to shut down on 5th of July, then we will continue immediately after receiving the overdue amount.”
Karpowership concludes the press release by inviting the government to a meeting in order to hold fruitful discussions for the benefit of all parties.
It was reported last week that the Government of Sierra Leone owes Karpowership $36 Million since the end of 2021, and that was the reason for the intermittent power outages in some parts of the country for some period of time now.
However, reports say a senior official in the Ministry of Finance has assured that after “a successful meeting” with the local representative of Karpowership in Sierra Leone, “an amicable settlement” has been reached. He refused to disclose details of the outcome of the meeting.
A spokesman for Karpowership is said to have confirmed the meeting with the Ministry of Finance and described the outcome as “very encouraging and positive”.
He assured that based on the positive outcome of their meeting with the Ministry of Finance, “our operations will not be disrupted,” he assured, “Karpowership will not shut down operations”.
