By Alusine Fullah
Many Sierra Leoneans especially Freetonians have angrily judged the former Minister of Energy, Alhaji Ibrahim Kanja Sesay and the current acting Minister of Energy, President Bio. As the situation of blackout keeps worsen, for many Sierra Leoneans, the former minister is more preferable than current acting Minister of Energy.
As of September 2023, the government of Sierra Leone has passed on yet another challenge to its citizens, quite literally leaving them in the dark.
The country, located on the western coast of Africa with well-known white beaches and an abundance of diamonds, is facing an electricity shortage due to its lack of domestic infrastructure and government corruption. As a result, thousands of citizens are without power in its capital city, Freetown.
The direct reason for Sierra Leone’s power shortages is the nation’s unpaid debts owed to the Turkish hydro-power company, Karpowership.
However, in a proactive move to alleviate the ongoing energy crisis in Freetown, the Ministry of Finance, in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), embarked on negotiations with Karpowership management.
On April 25, 2024, a pivotal agreement was reached, resulting in the disbursement of a substantial sum of US$ 17 million to Karpowership to settle outstanding obligations. This infusion of capital is poised to significantly bolster the energy infrastructure of the region.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Finance highlighted ongoing discussions with independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reassess current contracts, with the aim of fostering a sustainable and reliable energy provision system.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance has pledged to escalate collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Energy and EDSA to implement reforms aimed at fortifying the financial stability of the Energy Sector.
As it stands, it begs the question of all the foreign funding, why Sierra Leoneans still swim in the ocean of blackout? In line with that, the financing arrangement comprises a substantial loan of up to $292 million to the Western Area Power Generation Project, based in Freetown, aimed at enhancing and modernizing the power plant’s infrastructure. Additionally, DFC is set to provide up to $120 million in political risk insurance to attract private investment, with further support from a $40 million loan from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID).
Many Sierra Leoneans rely on electricity to produce cooling through air conditioning systems, which is essential in their tropical, hot climate, and to produce the light in their homes. As thousands of Sierra Leoneans cope with record high heats and absolute darkness at night, many people are outraged, and have demanded answers from the government concerning its inability to pay for electricity.
In examining the events that have contributed to the power outages, it is evident that energy shortages are only one of the many issues caused by shortcomings of the government.
Power cuts in Sierra Leone have prevented the citizens of Freetown from reaching their optimal productivity. Unlike power outages in other West African nations, blackouts in Sierra Leone have lasted for weeks on end, subjecting households and businesses to long periods of darkness.
In a world dependent on electricity for day to day activities, the lack of electricity has disrupted many essential services, such as life-saving hospital care, education for its youth, and construction.
Sierra Leone’s $40 million debt to Karpowership came as a shock to many. The company’s move to cut off power has caused concern within the nation and on the international stage. Because the citizens are without substantial energy to power their homes, the severity of the situation puts more pressure on the government as citizens’ demand for answers in its energy deficits.
The Turkish Power company’s choice to cut off power has negatively affected citizens’ satisfaction with their government and diminished national pride.
Sierra Leone’s inability to alleviate any of its mounting debt overtime highlights financial struggles and the fiscal irresponsibility of the Sierra Leonean government.
Faced with increasing financial risk, and understanding of Sierra Leone’s finances, the decision to discontinue services was justified. This energy crisis has shown the citizens a direct consequence of a government that has failed in its responsibility to provide its citizens with essential services, therefore decreasing the legitimacy of the Sierra Leonean government. This lack of trust in the government is also reflected in the country’s score of 34 on the Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index.
The effective distribution of resources is hampered by corruption, specifically the mismanagement and the theft of money allocated for vital public services and infrastructure, such as electricity. For example, between 2014 and 2016, around $2 million USD in cash donations from the Red Cross, intended for use in the country’s Ebola crisis, was stolen by government officials and local bankers. Such scandals have persisted in shattering public confidence in the government and impeding the country’s growth.
The nation’s energy crisis is a symptom of a deeper disease: a culture of corruption and lack of transparency that has hindered progress and left its people in the dark. To create a prosperous future for Sierra Leone, the nation must reckon with the root cause of its problems.
As government officials impede efforts to enforce transparency, accountability, and ethical governance within Sierra Leone, they continue to thrive at the expense of the citizens they were appointed to serve. Until a change is made, citizens will continue to struggle with day to day tasks. With its abundance of natural resources and human capital, Sierra Leone has the potential for extreme long-run economic growth.
Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) is lagging behind in providing consistent electricity supply to the people of Sierra Leone, despite the huge amounts of money that have been invested in the sector over the years. This has become a major concern for the citizens of Sierra Leone, who continue to face power outages that have had a significant impact on their daily lives and the country’s development.
The power sector in Sierra Leone has received billions of dollars in investment over the years, with the aim of improving the country’s electricity supply and reducing power outages. Despite these investments, the country continues to face regular power shortages that have had a significant impact on businesses, hospitals, schools, and other critical sectors of the economy.
According to a press release that was published on the 28th January 2021 in Washington with the headline “More than 270,000 Sierra Leoneans to Get Better Access to Electricity,” the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved $50 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to improve access to electricity in Sierra Leone and enhance institutional capacity and commercial management of the sector. The release captured that, the project will also be co-financed with $2.7 million grant by the Japan Policy and Human Resource Development Fund. The million is “Does this money reflects the sector?” I beg the head of that institution to say a big “NO!” Because, if those funds are invested appropriately, we should have been far away in the area of electricity supply by now. It would also interest the readers to know that not only this money was received by EDSA.
Also, a report published on the 30th June 2022 says, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is supporting the Government of Sierra Leone’s (GoSL) goal of universal access to electricity by implementing the USD40+million Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP). RREP – funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)1 – is an ambitious electrification project that aims to provide access to off-grid solar electricity in rural communities in Sierra Leone. This impact evaluation report uses data collected during surveys in 2019 and 2021 to assess the short run results of the project. These are all funds that could have changed the face of that sector, but yet still people are suffering to get constant electricity supply.
There are various reasons why EDSA is lagging behind in supplying electricity throughout the country. One of the main reasons is the lack of adequate infrastructure. In many areas, the power infrastructure is outdated and unable to meet the growing energy demands of the country. This has made it difficult for EDSA to supply consistent electricity to all parts of the country, especially in rural areas. This has greatly affected the country’s economy, education, and health system. The blackout has plunged Sierra Leone into darkness, leaving many businesses, hospitals, and schools without electricity. So, of these huge funds especially from our donor partners, what does the future hold for Sierra Leone electricity supply?
The education sector has been severely affected by the blackout. This is more so when WASSCE Exams is ongoing. Schools have been forced to close down temporarily due to the lack of electricity. This means that students are not able to attend classes, and teachers are unable to carry out their duties effectively. This situation has disrupted the academic calendar in many schools, and the students’ education has suffered as a result. This is a major concern, especially for students preparing for exams, as they have lost valuable time that would have been used for revision.
The blackout has also had a significant impact on businesses in Sierra Leone. Many businesses have had to shut down temporarily or reduce their operations due to the lack of electricity. This has led to a decline in sales and productivity, resulting in financial losses for many business owners. The situation has also affected the country’s economy, as the lack of electricity has disrupted the supply chain, making it difficult for companies to operate effectively.
The blackout has also had a significant impact on businesses in Sierra Leone. Many businesses have had to shut down temporarily or reduce their operations due to the lack of electricity. This has led to a decline in sales and productivity, resulting in financial losses for many business owners. The situation has also affected the country’s economy, as the lack of electricity has disrupted the supply chain, making it difficult for companies to operate effectively.
The health system has also been affected by the blackout. Hospitals and clinics are struggling to provide adequate medical care due to the lack of electricity. This has led to a delay in medical procedures and a shortage of medical supplies. In some cases, medical equipment such as generators has been rendered useless due to the lack of fuel, making it impossible to provide essential medical care. This situation has put many lives at risk, as patients are unable to receive timely medical attention.
The blackout in Sierra Leone has had a catastrophic effect on education, business, and the health system. The situation has exposed the country’s vulnerability to power outages and the need for sustainable solutions to ensure the provision of consistent electricity. The government needs to take urgent steps to address the situation and provide adequate infrastructure to support the functioning of schools, businesses, and hospitals. Additionally, it is vital for all stakeholders to work together to find sustainable and effective solutions to mitigate the effects of power outages on the country’s economy, education, and health system.
Sierra Leone is endowed with potential diverse energy sources, e.g., solar, wind and hydro, but still has one of the lowest electricity access rates in the world. According to Sustainable Energy for ALL (SEforALL) 2021, the national electrification rate is approximately 26 percent with approximately 6 percent accounting for access in rural areas. It is estimated that only five of the 16 District Headquarter Towns are partially supplied by a combination of small diesel units and mini hydropower plants. The electrification rate in the vast rural areas of the country is almost zero. This makes increasing the generation of electricity and improving the transmission and distribution network a national priority for the Government of Sierra Leone.
To be candid, until its corrupt culture declines, its citizens will continue to suffer at the hands of its leaders. Only a future of transparency and integrity can save Sierra Leone from its current trajectory.
