By politico staff writer
Parliament has debated and ratified a 50 million Euros financial agreement grant between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Sierra Leone to increase renewable energy supply for the State and other agricultural-related development.
The ratification of the grant took place at the Well of Parliament on the 30th of March 2023.
Presenting the Government Motion, the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura noted that, the purpose of the grant agreement is to increase electricity generation and to also promote renewable energy. He also said that the project is expected to generate a six-megawatt electricity supply.
He went on to highlight the benefits that would be derived from the project for the development of Sierra Leone. He assured Parliament that the grant would strengthen the capacity of the agricultural sector.
In his submission, the Parliamentary Chairman of the Finance Committee, Member of Parliament (MP) Francis Amara-Kai Samba said the agreement is non-controversial, saying that the government had spent a lot of money on energy supply. He stated that such an agreement would help to boost the energy as well as the agricultural sector and went on to call his colleague MPs to support the project.
On his part, MP Lahai Marrah praised the EU for its support to Sierra Leone, which according to him is geared towards the development of the State. He implored the EU to continue its support to promote political dialogue and political cohesion in Sierra Leone.
MP Ibrahim Allieu Kamara highlighted the achievement of the Government, in light of increasing and accessing electricity supply and went on to highlight the statistical data on electricity supply generated so far by the Government.
Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) in Parliament, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella commended the EU for supporting the renewable energy supply in the country. He said the grant would support the energy and agricultural sector. He went on to call on the Energy Minister to ensure there are subsidies for energy.
He called on the EU and Government to support clean cooking energy to avoid deforestation.
Veronica Kadie Sesay another MP said the agreement is a blessing to the country, in light of the grant and went on to commend the Government and EU for supporting development in Sierra Leone. She called on the Parliamentary Committees to do the needful to monitor the implementation of the project.
In rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hassan Sesay said they always support projects that are good for the nation and went on to commend the EU for supporting the socioeconomic development of the State. He said that the grant would impact hugely on the economy and also the agricultural sector.
He advised the House to observe the rules in the grant during the implementation in order to avoid problems with EU support to Sierra Leone.
In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business Bashiru Silikie commended the Minister for moving the ratification of the agreement. He said the agreement showed that the international partners still have confidence in the Current Government.
According to him, the project would increase the electricity supply for the nation, and went on to commend MPs who had contributed immensely to debate, in tandem with the development.
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