By eric.george@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Newly approved Deputy Minister of Energy II, Abdul Rahman Jalloh, has unveiled the government’s ambitious plans to transform Sierra Leone’s energy sector by 2030.
Following his confirmation by Parliament, Jalloh expressed deep gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for entrusting him with the responsibility of improving the country’s electricity infrastructure. He acknowledged that Sierra Leone’s energy challenges have persisted for over four decades but assured the public that strategic reforms and investments would soon bring a turnaround.
“The energy problem is a 40-year-old inherited challenge, and we cannot fix it overnight. However, with the right plans in place, we will make significant progress,” Jalloh stated.
He outlined a key objective: increasing electricity generation capacity to 300 megawatts by 2028 and expanding access to electricity to 80% of the population by 2030.
“We are committed to boosting power generation and ensuring that the majority of Sierra Leoneans have access to reliable electricity,” he assured.
Jalloh also addressed concerns over the Bumbuna Phase Two hydropower project, revealing that progress has stalled for the past 14 years. According to him, the contractors have not made any tangible advancements and are now demanding $97 million in compensation from the government following the termination of their contract.
During the debate, Hon. Catherine Tarawallie urged Jalloh to leverage his experience from Bumbuna Phase One to help resolve the country’s ongoing electricity woes.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, leader of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), raised concerns about the role of unregulated electricity in the recent surge of fire outbreaks across the country.
“I am also a recent victim of a fire outbreak,” he disclosed, adding that he has seen firsthand the dangers posed by faulty electrical infrastructure.
Kargbo criticized the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) for failing to take responsibility for frequent power failures and irregular billing. He condemned the practice of charging service fees for months during which customers received no electricity.
“No one is holding EDSA accountable. How can this change if Parliament remains silent?” he questioned.
Hon. Billoh Shaw, representing Falaba District, called on Jalloh to address the malfunctioning mini-grids in his district and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma commended Jalloh for his humility and commitment but urged him to tackle pressing concerns, including:
- Electricity theft—a growing problem affecting supply stability.
- Bumbuna Phase Two—identifying what went wrong and finding solutions.
- Defunct Transformers—including a new transformer at Banana Water, Congo Cross, which has been non-functional for four years.
“Please consider Bumbuna Phase Two—it is crying for attention. Who bewitched it?” Hon. Koroma asked rhetorically.
With these challenges ahead, all eyes are now on Abdul Rahman Jalloh to see whether his tenure will bring the much-needed energy revolution Sierra Leone has long awaited. SEG/29/3/2025
