This according to the JICA Electricity Project Consultant marks the completion of Phase Two of electricity upgrade and expansion of distribution lines from 11 to 33KVA. Consultant Atsuhitu Uruno said the Japanese aid to boost the energy sector is an output of the key findings and recommendations of the capital’s Electricity Master Plan Study carried out couple of years ago with the aim to upgrade and expand electricity distribution and quality in Freetown.
Signing the project completion and delivery note comprising a rendered sub-power station, eight high voltage transformers, distribution cables, regulators among many others, the Deputy Minister of Energy One, Hassan Barrie expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for what he describes as longstanding and flourishing bilateral ties that people of Sierra Leone have benefited from immensely. For which he thanked the JICA team and the Japanese government on behalf of President Koroma. Cataloging the component of the Japanese aid, the Deputy Minister of Energy One, said JICA undertook a master plan study upon request from the National Power Authority then – now EDSA, construction of 11KVA line from King Tom and 33KVA distribution line and sub power station at Regent and Goderich respectively, upgrade of distribution and quality of electricity voltage to communities in the extreme west end of Freetown.
The Acting Head of Electricity Distribution, who doubles as the Focal Engineer of the JICA funded electricity Project, Engineer Francis Nyama in his overview statement of Phase Two of the Electricity distribution upgrade to expanding settlements in Freetown has been pending with three components. He said they include: JICA to undertake a study of the capital’s electricity master plan, construction of power substations and upgrade of electricity distribution lines of 11 from King Tom onto Wilberforce and 33 KVA distribution line from Regent 33KVA onto Goderich and the third part has to do with EDSA taking lead in managing those facilities provided and ensuring improved electricity supply / distribution in Freetown.
Climaxing the short ceremony following an inspection of the electrical equipments and spare parts was the symbolic handing over of the completed sub-power station and equipments received from JICA, by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy, Madam Zainab Buyah Kamara. She made the symbolic handing over to the Acting Director General of EDSA, Dr. Henry Sacccoi for EDSA to take charge as custodian and implementer of electricity generation and distribution in the country’s capital-Freetown. In his quick response, Dr. Henry Sacccoi of EDSA assured that these materials will be used for the intended purposes. ‘’One of the benefits is that ESDA will continue to strengthen and upgrade the distribution lines and most importantly, response time to distress calls will now become shorter with the availability of spare parts’’ said the Acting Director General of EDSA.
