Taiama in Kori chiefdom, Moyamba district has become the 13th community in Moyamba district to be connected to Sierra Leone’s burgeoning or growing mini-grid space.

This disclosure was made by the Deputy Minister of Energy Dr. Eldred Taylor at the commissioning of the Taiama mini-grid where he also reiterated the commitment of President Julius Maada Bio to transforming the social and economic lives of citizens through access to sustainable electricity.

Welcoming the Deputy Minister and his entourage, Paramount Chief of Kori Chiefdom, PC Thomas Momoh Gbappi IV said his chiefdom headquarters town was strategically located noting that with the presence of electricity the social and economic lives of his people would be positively impacted or transformed.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Energy thanked stakeholders in the chiefdom with specific reference to Lawyer Anthony Brewah for always prioritizing the interests of the people of Kori chiefdom.

He said access to electricity before 2018 stood at 14.8%, noting that dismal access-to-electricity statistics had now given way to a commendable one that now stands at 31% as a result of serious interventions in the renewable energy space.

Dr. Taylor said Rotifunk in Bumpe chiefdom would soon take the number of communities in the district that has benefitted from mini-grids to 14, adding that the facility installed at Taiama was one of the biggest in the country.

He implored the operators to encourage the productive use of energy and called on residents to own and protect the facility and to take advantage of the electricity to enhance their economic and social livelihoods.

Resident Minister South, Mohamed Alie described the day as a historic one, stressing that President Julius Maada Bio was doing an excellent job for the country. He praised the team at the Ministry of Energy and lauded the good working relationship that the Minister and his Deputy had forged.

Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Brewah who is a son of the soil thanked all those involved in the planning and implementation of the project. He called on his chiefdom compatriots to jealously guard the facility.

Honorable Member of Parliament for Constituency 098, Hon. Dominic Tshombe, could not hide his joy at the prospects of Taiama now having to join other towns in the district to enjoy electricity.

Chief Executive Officer of Power Leone, Nicole Poindexter, said her company started the project in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone in 2019, adding that she was excited to see the practical realization and completion of the project.