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In a brewing energy crisis, Karpowership, the provider of 65MW of electricity to Sierra Leone’s main grid, issued a 21-day written notice of disconnection to the government on November 17, 2023.
According to Global Times the notice cited non-payment for services already rendered. Despite assurances from Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, who pledged to settle all arrears before the deadline, not a single cent has been paid.
Undeterred, Karpowership served another 14-day written notice on December 13, 2023, reiterating their intent to disconnect if payment was not received. The Finance Minister, once again, failed to fulfill his commitment to settle the outstanding amount before the end of December.
With mounting frustration, Karpowership’s management has now threatened to shut down operations if the Finance Minister continues to delay payment. The company plays a critical role in supplying electricity to the national grid, according to officials from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
Expressing discontent, an anonymous government contractor reached out to the Global Times, warning the Finance Minister to “stop messing around.” The contractor emphasized the importance of trust, stating, “No one trusts a word he says these days…He should be reminded that, as Finance Minister, he is expected to be straight with people…Truth matters.”
Efforts to contact officials in the Finance Ministry for comments proved unsuccessful as of last night. Karpowership officials in Freetown confirmed the issuance of at least two written notices of disconnection to the Sierra Leone government. Investigations into the ongoing payment dispute are underway. The nation awaits a resolution to avoid a potential energy crisis.
