President Koroma Reveals One Major Thing He Will Do Before He Vacate State House In 2018

As Sierra Leone becomes the first compact signatory to the Energy Africa Campaign, President Koroma has assured Sierra Leoneans that before he leaves office, every district and chiefdom will have power.

He made this policy statement last Wednesday, while launching the energy revolution at the

Bintumani Conference Centre, Aberdeen.

President Koroma added that energy is top priority for his Government, noting that no nation can develop with an unreliable source of energy.

The first gentleman of the state recalled that in 2007, his Government met only 20 megawatts of electricity and in 100 days the situation improved to 90 megawatts.

He said currently the country operates with over 100 megawatt, which is still not enough to drive socio-economic growth, and it was for this reason that a comprehensive approach was taken to overcome the challenge, especially for the rural poor.

Sierra Leone’s Chief Executive disclosed that government has concrete energy goals for 2017 alongside several other energy projects that are in progress, which cost huge financial resources.

He maintained that very soon Sierra Leone will have renewable energy policies awaiting approval by cabinet, which will serve as the catalyst to encourage more investors and entrepreneurs in renewable energy.

President Koroma commended international partners as well as donors for the effort to encourage governments in Africa to redirect its focus on renewable energy, a source that is abundant in Africa.

As he launched the energy revolution to increase access to power, the Chief Executive said sun energy power is not new to Sierra Leone, citing the work women at the Bare Foot Solar College are doing to provide rural households with portable solar power at an affordable cost, another key point which he stressed on that service providers should be able to offer affordable cost for their products to enable both public and private sector to join the revolution, feeling comfortable.

President Koroma called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including the local authorities to support the Energy Ministry to ensure that when the products are made available the right skills and knowledge must be ready to carryout installation as well as maintenance service.

Concluding, he assured the gathering that by 2025 through the energy revolution programme, there will be power for all in Sierra Leone, noting that the country is in a hurry for growth and the citizens need results.