Alhaji Ibrahim Kanja Sesay has tendered his resignation as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, effective immediately, amidst the country’s persistent electricity crisis.

Popular journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah revealed that while the specific reasons for Sesay’s resignation remain undisclosed, a family source hinted that he felt undermined by the Ministry of Finance regarding the payment of the over US$40 million debt to the Turkish Karpowership.

Sesay, a close associate of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, assumed the role in 2018 with the mandate to address the energy sector’s challenges. His primary initiative involved signing a contract with the Turkish Karpowership, aimed at saving the government US$18 million and alleviating the energy deficit.

As Sesay, the longest-serving Energy Minister in recent memory, steps down, Sierra Leone continues to grapple with a crippling energy crisis. The situation recently led to a tragic incident where a baby lost its life at a major referral hospital in the capital, Freetown.

President Bio reportedly issued an ultimatum just a week ago, indicating his readiness to personally intervene in the energy sector if the crisis persists. With Sesay’s departure, speculation arises that the President may opt to bring the Energy Ministry under his direct oversight to expedite efforts to resolve the prolonged power outage plaguing the nation.