By Musa Paul Feika
The Parliamentary Spokesman of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party Hon. Umpha Gbassay Koroma has called on Government and in particular the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to begin focusing on generating and distributing electricity to rural communities of the country, noting that most Sierra Leoneans are born and will live and die in darkness because of the neglect by government and agencies responsible for the generation and distribution of what he called, “this essential social service of life.”
Hon. Koroma posited that electricity is an essential component of social and economic development of any country and people, and denying citizens of that essential social service is a violation of rights, noting further that, “unfortunately, most Sierra Leoneans are born in the villages will eventually die without seeing or enjoying any form of electricity,” adding that as a nation, we should start thinking beyond our cities and looking to addressing the issue of electricity in interior communities outside of mega towns and cities.
Hon. Koroma made this solemn plea on Friday, 9th August, 2024 in the Well of Parliament during the approval of two Presidential Nominees Madam Princess Mayota Baby Rose Jah Turay and Ign. Samuel Jusu Alpha as Deputy Ambassador to Germany and Chairman Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), respectively.
He encouraged the approved Chairman, Ing. Jusu Alpha to go to the office with a mindset and innovation to support the already existing foundation set in the EGTC for the betterment of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Koroma said electricity plays an important role in a nation in terms of development and how it is attractive as a nation to foreign direct investment.
He suggested that solar energy can to be a better alternative solution to hydroelectricity and fossil fuel powered engine generated electricity that could be expensive to operate and maintain, and pleaded with the Speaker to approve and send the nominees to their respective posts, taking into cognizance the advices given to them in the Well for them to change the narratives of their respective institutions.