By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Commissioning electricity through a company Africo Power Gen in Pendembu and Bunumbu towns both in Kailahun district, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy has described electricity as a major source of economic development in rural areas.
Addressing the people in those areas, Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor said access to electricity supply was a manifesto commitment by the current government, thereby ensuring the ministry prioritizes energy supply not only to urban cities but rural communities as well.
The Deputy Minister acknowledged the shortages of electrical poles but said they have engaged the management of Power Gen and that plans were underway for more.
He assured the people that before December all old poles will be replaced and more meters provided.
He said the Pendembu station has a 130 kilowatt storage facility and that 830 customers have already applied for meters.
Dr. Tylor stated that a population of 4,980 (four thousand nine hundred and eighty people in Pendembu will benefit from the facility. He noted that the ministry has an agreement with the company doing the work and that as service providers, the company will provide street lights in the communities as part of its corporate social responsibilities.
He added that they are in talks with the US government for additional power supply to 45 communities out of which he said Kailahun district will benefit from nine.
The minister admonished the people to honour their own obligation by ensuring that they pay their rates and warned against interfering with government property and appealed to stakeholders to ensure the protection of the facility.
In his statement, the Acting Country Manager Africo Power Gen electrification project, Hassan Suma explained that the renewable energy project is funded by DFID and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the government to provide electricity through private and public partnerships.
He said the company has twenty years contract with the government to provide sustainable energy supply. "We are here to drive away darkness from the people of Pendembu and Bunumbu permanently," he said.
Suma said they are operating in 35 communities, and will employ two onsite technicians from the communities who will be trained to attend to the people at any time needed.
He spoke of recharge cards for the meters that can be bought through the Sales Manager via Orange Money Service. He also called on all to utilize the light judiciously through business activities in order to alleviate poverty.
The Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Energy Kekura Vandi of Constituency 088 in Bo district said that their role as members of parliament was to represent the people in parliament, provide oversight functions and make laws on behalf of their constituents.
The Parliamentarian stated that the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio has ensured sustainable electricity in Kenema and Bo under Transco CLSG from Ivory Coast to Sierra Leone through Liberia.
In his statement, Paramount Chief Foray Gondor applauded the government and development partners for providing electricity to his people after over forty years.
He said, this is the first time that Pendembu is experiencing electricity and that the commissioning has brought relief to them. He said Pendembu had been the district headquarter town before that recognition was relocated to Kailahun and appealed for a return to Pendembu.
He urged his people to serve as security for the electricity facility and registered their firm commitment to protect and ensure sustainable light for their people.
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