By Politico Staff Writer
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay has signed a contract for the construction of a 225kva Double Circuit 66kv multi circular electricity transmission line with Indian Company WAPCOS.
The Ministry believes that the contract, which was signed on the 13th October this year, is a way of actualising government’s commitment of ensuring that every part of the country is connected to the country’s grid or mini grid.
The Minister said that the project will have enormous positive effects on the country’s power transmission and on distribution of electricity across the country.
He affirmed to the Indian company that the government is determined to increase access to energy. He added that transmission, distribution and evacuation issues have impeded government’s effort in the energy sector.
Sesay said that these glaring challenges have enabled government to embark on aggressive pursuit of rural electrification. He said this drive will provide electricity for the majority of people in the rural areas. He noted that his ministry has also established amicable partnerships with private sector companies for the installation of mini grids in different parts of the country.
The minister furthered that the project would ensure setting up of a major transmission line in the country and congratulated WAPCOS on winning the contract. He promised that the Energy Ministry will work with the company for the successful implementation of the project. The Minister also praised Indian EXIM Bank for supporting the project.
Project Manager at the Ministry of Energy, Cyril Grant, said that the project is strategically important to the Government of Sierra Leone. He stated that the country has only one transmission line that runs between Bo and Kenema apart from the 161 transmission lines covering from Bumbuna to Freetown.
He said that the $78 million loan provided by the Indian Government for the project is huge. He also noted that the transmission line would further bring power from the CLSG line to the Western Area, Lunsar, Kambia and Port Loko
Grant praised WAPCOS to be a reputable Indian company that will be based in Sierra Leone for the entire duration of the said project.
WAPCOS Limited Chief Engineer, Muthyala Manoj Kumar said that his company was delighted to have won the contract and assured the completion of the project on the stipulated time.
Copyright © Politico Online 20/10/21
