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The Deputy Minster of Energy, Dr. Eldred Taylor, has on Saturday 21 May 2022 commissioned mini grid facilities at Koindu and Buedu and spoken about the transformative steps taken by President Julius Maada Bio to change the development narrative in Kailahun district, with specific emphasis on enabling Koindu repossess its before-the-civil-war status or prominence.
Welcoming the Deputy Minister and his entourage, Chiefdom Speaker of Kissi Teng Chiefdom, Falla Jusu, said he and his people could not hide their collective joy, adding that Koindu, which was a cynosure of international trade and a commercially burgeoning town before the war, was now on the path to regaining that status and flair.
He said his people were tremendously appreciative of the strides of President Julius Maada Bio and the giant steps taken so far towards fulfilling his promises. He noted that Kissi Land had waited for electricity for far too long but that they now felt fulfilled and satisfied that Koindu and Buedu were now fully electrified.
While commissioning the facility, the Deputy Minister of Energy said Kailahun was close to the heart of President Bio, noting that the President had exponentially increased the number of towns in the district that would benefit from mini grids.
He said under the New Direction administration,the number of towns to benefit from mini grids had been stretched from 3 to an appreciable number,adding that towns like Mende Buima, Gihun, Konjoh, Bailawala, Foindu, Gbalahun, Gorahun, Baiima and Bewadu would also soon benefit from mini grids.
Dr. Taylor said plans were afoot to connect several towns in Kailahun district to the CLSG grid, stating that Government had secured funding from the World Bank for the said project. He described the mini grid facilities as huge and informed the gathering that a large number of potential and willing customers had already signed up for the enjoyment of the facilities.
The Deputy Minister of Energy concluded by urging PowerGen to have on-sight technicians at the facilities, encouraging customers to pay their bills and praising the youth for their support towards the project.
PowerGen Interim Country Manager, Hassan Suma, said the Government of Sierra Leone and PowerGen had collaborated to implement the project. He described the day as historic, adding that his company would sensitize customers on how to go about purchasing tokens and on how to recharge their meters.
Kailahun District Council Chairman, Keke Sahr, said his district was massively appreciative of the facilities. He also spoke about the need for the expansion of the facilities to accommodate neighboring towns and villages.
