By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay has presented to contractors twenty-two (22) containers of assorted electricity materials for the Network Rehabilitation and Expansion Project of the CLSG interconnection line commissioned last December by President Julius Maada Bio in Kenema.
Since the commissioning of the projects on the promise of providing 24 hours uninterrupted power supply to Bo and Kenema, there have been reports of intermittent power cuts from the city.
Speaking to Politico, Mustapha Mansaray a businessman in Kenema said the power supply in Kenema was not stable because ‘it goes on and off’ and that ‘we have gone for a week now without power supply.
Bobson Junisa was concerned that the Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) management had not gone to the media to tell them the cause of the power outage.
He said they are really affected by the situation since his wife’s business depends on electricity which they can only get from the national grid.
However, Fatima Dugba Momodu said, things were much better now compared to previous years especially during the dry season. “Now it comes and goes, sometimes for three days but we are sure that it will come. People say it is from the Dodo power line but other people say the light is from another country. But we pray that they will solve the problem so that we have light,” she said.
Speaking to Politico last Saturday 5th February 2022, Moriba Koroma, a trader on Tikonko Road in Bo said electricity was restored to Bo two days ago. He said the light sometimes goes off for 20 minutes at a time.
The Energy Minister acknowledged that a total overhaul of the transmission and distribution networks in Bo and Kenema was required if the two cities were to perfectly enjoy the CLSG electricity. He noted that it was with a view to achieving that objective that he was in Bo to deliver another consignment of 22 containers of assorted electricity materials. The materials include 1,000 steel poles, 70 transformers, and huge quantities of conductors and cables. 14 more consignments are expected soon, according to the minister.
Kanja Sesay stressed the importance of completing the project within the stipulated timeframe and urged the contractors to ensure that the best was delivered.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Assistant Project Manager at SINOTEC, the contracting firm Izaz Ul Haq, assured that they would complete the project within the expected timeframe, noting that an estimated 102 containers would be brought to this country for the entire project.
Austine Luseni, the Communications Specialist at the Ministry of Energy said the project is expected to end between September and October of this year.
Copyright © 2022 Politico 07/02/22
