By Politico Staff writer
The parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified the contract agreement signed by the Ministries of Energy Finance and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), for the 120MW Bikongor III electrification Project.
The project aims to construct, install, supply and commission a Hydro Power Plant for a period of 25 years with Nokorko Resources Limited and their partners.
This was made known during the Laying out of the Bikongor III Hydroelectric Project Agreements in Parliament last week Thursday 13th April, 2023.
Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, during the laying out of the project agreement urged Parliament to ratify the Power Purchase and Implementation Agreements of the project. He reckoned that electricity and energy are the driving forces for the socioeconomic development of every country.
He noted that President Julius Maada Bio prioritized the energy sector as one of the key areas of focus in the New Direction manifesto with the objective to increase energy access throughout the country.
"Scaling up electricity access is paramount to achieving our agenda for transforming the economy of this country to realize this vision and to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. The Electricity Sector Roadmap 2018-2030 targets to increase power generation capacity from 100MW of installed capacity to 1800MW," he said.
The Minister of Energy said that the power that would be produced after the completion of the project would benefit an additional 900,000 (nine hundred thousand) consumers. He added that the project which would be located near the Bikongor-Kongo waterfalls along the Sewa River in the Gorama Mende Chiefdom would generate and transmit abundant electricity in the country.
"The power plant will comprise the installation of 4/30MW Francis turbines, a new 225 KV substation to be built near the project plant site and the construction of an approximately 35 kilometers 225 transmission line from the project site to the CLSG Bikongor substation in Bumpe to enhance evacuation capacity," said energy minister.
He further said that the components of the project would be handed over to the Government of Sierra Leone after the 25-year period. He concluded by speaking about the environmental impact assessment considerations of the project and the tariff system.
Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Member of Parliament (MP) Kekura Vandi expressed delight at the project and urged his fellow MPs to ratify the project agreements.
MP from Kono District, Musa Fofana, said his district was relishing the prospects of having to enjoy additional sustainable electricity supply.
Acting Opposition Leader of Parliament, Hassan Sesay, thanked the Minister for the conception of the project, noting that the project would be cost effective and would attract foreign investments.
The twin agreements, which seek to further expand the access rate of energy throughout the country, were unanimously ratified by the House.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (17/04/23)
