Minister of Energy, Kanja Sesay made history on Tuesday when he connected Bathurst to the national power grid to light up the township for the first time in its 204-year existence.
The 1,000 KV transmitter electrified the colonial settlement situated just outside the capital, Freetown, with the minister saying that it was enough to power some surrounding communities.
“It’s a very, very, very good feeling... [and] a very happy moment for me to be particularly lucky to bring electricity to this township after 204 years. It is very, very refreshing” the minister told Politico shortly after switching on the transmitter.
He said they had got a request from the community, which they found “compelling”, and decided to go with it.
Set up for freed slaves the community had known only darkness since 1816 prompting celebrations galore.
The Village Headman, Theophilus Johnson said his community had between 3,000 and 3,500 residents. He said their forefathers “fought hard to achieve this success [but] were unable”. He said electricity coming to Bathurst was a great achievement. “The people of Bathurst are appreciative at this time of what the government has come up in just two years”
He said it would change the lives of the people especially pupils whom he said would now be able to study harder. “Where there is light, there is life”, Johnson said, adding that the coming of electricity would lead to growth, with more people especially women going into business.
An old lady, Fatu Kanu said spoke emotionally. “Now, when I want to leave for the toilet, I will not need to use lit firewood to find my way. I will switch on the light… [something] I never expected to see this day before I die. She thanked the government for “listening to our cry and the cry of our ancestor”, the 90-year-old said.
Robert Babawo, also 90, said he had lived in Bathurst for more than 72 years and all he had had to use were paraffin lamps. “I am happy that we now have electricity. Today I will go to bed and sleep very well” he said.
Hundreds of residents thronged the community center to witness the ceremony. Some sang and danced deep into the night celebrating what they said they could only have dreamed of just a few years ago.
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