01 February, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – World Bank Board of Executive Directors last Thursday 28 January approved $50M grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to improve access to electricity in Sierra Leone and to enhance international capacity and commercial management of the sector
The project will also be co-financed by another $2.7M grant by the Japan Policy and Human Resource Development Fund.
That the Enhancing Sierra Leone Energy Project will support the country’s post COVID-29 economic recovery by providing electricity to households, business, health clinics and schools which is a critical part of the recovery process.
That it will also support the replacement of costly fuel generation plants which low cost power which will free up scarce fiscal resources for other urgent socio-economic needs
This, according to the the project, will provide electricity to approximately 276,000 people and about 700 health facilities and schools and help cut an average of 15,135 tons Greenhouse Gas emission per year.
That only 23% of Sierra Leonean have access to electricity which is below the sub-saharan average of 30%,pointing out that the gap in infrastructure is not only impacting on peoples welfare and ability to access services, it is also severely impeding on competitiveness, job creation and poverty reduction.
That Private companies mention inadequate electricity provision as a major cause for high cost, disrupted production and reduced profitability.
“Improving access to electricity in Sierra Leone is a critical development accelerator. This project will help address the country’s key infrastructure deficits which is one of the most fundamental elements for promoting sustainable growth and job creation in the COVID-19 recovery,” Gayle Martin, Word Bank Country Director stated.
