AYV News, March 22, 2024

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Alhaji Dr. Kanja Sesay has at the end of a two-day Energy Sector Roundtable Conference expressed his gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for gracing the occasion and  delivering the keynote address, describing the President’s address as honest, forthright, and a clarion and patriotic call to all to scale up efforts in the sector.

He said the presence of the President was a demonstration of the relevance that the government attaches to the energy sector, adding that the Ministry was not unaware of the challenges that beset the sector, noting however that it was imperative for all to productively collaborate.

“He was honest and forthright in his speech in which he exhorted us all to make more sincere commitments to make our dreams come true. He spoke of the need to correct social injustice of rural mini grid tariffs,” Dr. Sesay said while noting that the Ministry had taken the message in good faith.

He thanked international partners for the support given to the energy sector and their role in ensuring the convening of the roundtable conference. He stated that the conference had addressed critical issues relating to the improvement of energy in the country.

Finance Minister, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, said his Ministry was committed to supporting the energy sector amidst the daunting economic challenges that the country was faced with.

Mr. Bangura said the importance of the energy sector to the government’s Big Five Agenda, with specific reference to the Feed Salone scheme, cannot be overemphasised.

MCC Country Manager, Steve Grudda, emphasised the need for effective coordination and consistent planning in the sector.

He spoke about the MCC’s investments in Sierra Leone’s energy sector and assured that his institution was always ready to support the country’s development aspirations.

With the energy sector and the Feed Salone agenda being inextricably linked, reforms continue in the sector.