The Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone has on Thursday the 13 th of April 2023, extensively debated and unanimously ratified 501 million dollars in Bekongor Energy-related agreements which would provide electricity service to 900,000 people and also provide a job for over 1,500 Sierra Leoneans.
The following agreement ratified were; the Power Purchase Agreement relating to the 120 MW Bekongor 111 Hydroelectric power project (BHEPP), in Sierra Leone between the Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) and the electricity distribution and supply authority and Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd, and the Implementation Agreement relating to the 120 MW Bekongor 111 hydroelectric power project (BLLEPP) in Sierra Leone between the government of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GOSL) and Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd ( As the generator)
Elucidating the importance of the agreement to Members of Parliament, the Minister of Energy Alhaji Kanja Sesay, said the objective of president Bio’s government is to make light to be affordable for the people of Sierra Leone. He added that the 120 MW project was signed by the Ministry of Finance, the Electricity Water and Regulatory Commission, and the Ministry of Energy to boast electricity supply for the whole country with a project of US $ 501 million. He also said the project required new infrastructure development and it would enhance regional electricity supply trade. He said the government had worked assiduously to make energy possible for economic development.
He intimated to the House that when the project is implemented, it would reduce electricity tariffs drastically and it would cater for nine hundred thousand consumers.
Making his submission to the debate, the Parliamentary chairperson on Energy Hon. Keukura Vandy commended Parliament and the Energy Ministry for supporting the energy sector in actualizing electricity supply for the country
Hon. Dr Mark Mahmoud Kalokoh said as an opposition they will always support good projects from the government also said the project would employ a large number of Sierra Leonean
On his part, Hon. PC Bai Kurru Kanagbaro Sanko III commended the minister for the initiatives in implementing a positive project for the people of Sierra Leone
The Acting Leader of C4C Hon. Musa Fofanah commended the minister for the generation of electricity supply and went on to highlight the importance of the agreement towards the socio-economic development of the country
In rounding the up the debate the Acting Leader of the Opposition Hon. Hassan Sesay said for any development that concentrates on the people of Sierra Leone the opposition party would always support it “We need affordable energy supply and not only accessibility”. He concluded
In concluding the debate, the Chief Whip of Parliament Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers commended the agreements and called for proper monitoring implementation. He also went on to appreciate the work of the energy minister and the government in boosting the sustainable development on the electricity supply
