By Politico Staff writer
A local company Sewa Energy Resources Limited (SERL) Sierra Leone has donated 20,000 solar lights to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) as support to the Free Quality Education (FQE) project.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Kofi Macauley and his team officially handed over the solar lamps to Ministry officials at New England in Freetown on Wednesday 7th April 2021.
In presenting the items Macauley said targeting deprived school children in rural communities with such an offer apart from complementing government’s effort would help promote literacy, as the children would use the lamps to increase their study time especially in areas where there is no access to electricity. He highlighted the adaptable make-up of the solar lamps, which he said are, lightweight, waterproofed, and user-friendly.
The CEO called on stakeholders present at the handing over ceremony to take ownership of the gesture from Sewa Energy by ensuring fairer distribution of the Solar Lamps to children in deprived communities across the country. According to Macauley if handled with care, the solar lamps could last for ten years.
He congratulated the Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh and his team for their commitment to the FQE and pledged his company’s support to the Ministry in achieving the laudable venture that he said is aimed at securing the human capital potential of Sierra Leone.
“This donation is just the start to a long-term partnership with the Ministry in providing and securing that clean and affordable energy is accessible to schools in deprived communities across the country”, Macauley pointed out.
He stated that as an indigenous company, their support for development with a long term goal in the country is a key mandate of Sewa Energy that is in line with the company’s cooperate social responsibilities. He said in that vein the company has over the years spent billions of Leones in providing livelihood support to several communities in the country especially in those found within project operational areas. Macauley also said that Sewa Energy in the spirit of wanting to demonstrate commitment to meeting energy targets in the country, plans to commission the Betmai Hydroelectric Project, hoping to have it completed and operational by 2023.
This energy project is expected to generate 27 MW tapping on the Pampana River in Tonkolili district. Once implemented, the Betmai Hydroelectric facility will contribute to the overall economic development of the country by providing power to over 700,000 homes in within and nearby communities.
This energy investment project will not only help uplift local communities, including women, children, low-income population, and underrepresented groups by providing reliable power to schools, hospitals, businesses, and households but will also have a positive impact on the environment and boost energy generation and distribution in the country.
Receiving the solar lamps on behalf of the Minister, the Ministry’s Director of School Quality Assurance Management and Resources Mohamed Sillah Sesay thanked Sewa Energy for the donation, saying that the Lamps would indeed contribute greatly towards increasing study time for pupils. He noted that the current government has prioritized education as the best way to invest in the future and was hopeful that the donated lamps will directly support government towards achieving the FQE of President Julius Maada Bio.
Chief Director of Energy at the Ministry of Energy Engineer, Benjamin commended Sewa Energy for their intervention and commitment to providing and ensuring energy security in the country. He mentioned Sewa Energy as a valued partner of the Ministry of Energy, especially in the renewable energy sector.
In a symbolic demonstration Deputy Directors of Education at districts level received quotas of the solar lamps for distribution to school children in their respective districts.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (16/04/21)
