By Politico staff writer
The Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay has connected Koidu Holdings Mining Company Limited to the CLSG Grid, a company that electrifies the four regional countries of Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The Minister conducted the symbolic switching on of electricity at the company’s mining site in Kono district on the 5th January.
In his statement, Paramount Chief of Tankoro Chiefdom, Paul Saquee thanked the Energy Minister on behalf of his colleague Paramount Chiefs and described the occasion as historic and transformative.
He also thanked the Government of Sierra Leone for providing safe and reliable electricity for his district which he said has been placed at the centre of attention of the government’s policies and programmes.
The Minister on his part praised Koidu Holdings for taking the bold step to be the first mining company to take electricity beyond the normal borders of just providing domestic electricity.
Kanja Sesay said it was time for other large-scale mining companies to espouse President Julius Maada Bio's call for the productive use of energy by replicating the Koidu Holdings trend.
He said the commissioning was in fulfillment of President Bio's desire to support industries and companies with industrial electricity with a view to enhancing foreign direct investment.
He pointed out that, Koidu Holdings’ move has formed a catalyst for other companies including but not limited to Sierra Diamonds, Wongo Mining, Marampa Mines and Meya to ask for a similar mutually beneficial agreement and partnership.
"Today, we are here to complete the protocols. We have already started the test cases and it is going to be today that the company will be officially connected to the CLSG grid," remarked minister Sesay.
Director General of Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Abu Kamara, said electricity was synonymous to development andpraised the efforts of the minister of Energy in supporting President Bio’s energy aspirations especially in the expansion and use of mini grids.
He called on stakeholders in Kono to own and protect the facilities.
General Manager of Koidu Holdings, Rocco Vermeulen said his company was more than delighted to be the first mining entity to be connected to the CLSG grid. He described the event as a foundation for showcasing Sierra Leone for foreign investments.
He went on to say that the partnership that had been formed between his company and the Ministry of Energy would be strengthened and sustained.
It could be recalled that the Ministry of Energy and Koidu Holdings Ltd. signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) on the 8th October, 2022 to enable the company access energy from the CLSG grid for industrial use.
Copyright © Politico Online (09/01/23)
