Sierra Leone’s Capital, Freetown has reverted to the dark days where people rely on private generators fondly called ‘Kabbah Tigers’ to access electricity supply in their homes and places of work.
The ugly development came after the Management of Karpowership that was supplying constant electricity to the Freetown decided to shut down its machines on 1st December, 2021.
Reports say Sierra Leone Ministry of Finance has failed to pay energy subsidy running into millions of United States dollars to the management of Karpowership.
Other reports have it that for several months past, the Ministry has not kept to payment arrangements of energy subsidy to Karpowership even after several correspondents from the Management to the ministry reminding them of overdue payments.
Left with the conclusion that the ministry is not serious about settling the backlog payments, the Management switched off its machines and now demanding that a 50% down payment be made before the Ship is switched on again.
However, sources within the ministry have revealed that a payment plan offered by the Management of Karpowership t was rejected by the ministry.
Many say the ministry is not handling the payment for electricity supplied with seriousness but prefer deterring President Julius Maada Bio’s hard-earned achievements in electricity supply to the nation.
It can be recalled that it was few days ago that the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay showered praises on the Management of Karpowership for showing patience in the delay of energy subsidy payment to them by the Government of Sierra Leone.