Murtala Mohamed Kamara, AfricaNews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has finally commissioned a hydro project which started some 30 years ago. The project endorsed by President Ernest Bai Koroma is estimated to cost $372 million. The Bumbuna hydro project would provide stable electricity supply to Sierra Leone and beyond.
“We are all gathered here today to witness and celebrate the completion of a project that has been over 30 years in the making. For over 30 years, the people of this country have waited for this day. When we assumed power in 2007 we vowed to end this waiting period. Today, my government has delivered on this vow; the waiting period is over,” President Koroma said on Friday.
He added: “For many years, the non-completion of Bumbuna led many to lose faith in the commitment of leaders in this country to improving the lives of our people. Our determination to complete it was to renew our people’s faith in government as a power for good. “
The President assured the cheerful crowd that “with dedication we will provide the energy to light up our homes, give uninterrupted electricity to our businesses, hospitals, and colleges, and ensure optimum use of information and communication technology. We shall not tire in our efforts to make our people believe that my government is a force for good.”
Koroma said: “My government also applauds the contribution to this project by the Italian Government, Salini Costruttori, the African Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Kingdom Department International Development and our other international partners. Without their support we would not have reached this stage today.”
Koroma added: “On behalf of successive governments of this country, I apologize for the pain of waiting so long. My government will ensure that we never again have to wait that long. That was why when I assumed office I moved with great urgency to complete Bumbuna. Two years after you elected me President we have done it, and are ready to move on to other programs for meeting the energy needs for our country’s transformation.”
The first phase of the Bumbuna Hydro projects provides 50 MW to Freetown and its immediate environs, experts say after its full completion, the project will provide more than 500MW of electricity to the country and its neighbours.
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