The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and other stakeholders from the Ministries of Energy and the Environment and Climate Change respectively on Saturday 24th August 2024 visited the Sigimi Water Falls in the Bagruwa Chiefdom, Moyamba District for the proposed construction of a 15 megawatts hydro-electric dam that would supply the entire district for which funds would be solicited from the Ministry of Finance and other donors.
The visit was to assess the potentials of the site with a view to transform the project from its profiling status to a bankable state.
The Sigimi Water Fall is one of the hydro potential sites in the country for which feasibility studies have been done in the past –in 1985 and 2012 respectively with respect to its viability and profitability.
Addressing the people in Simigi and Sembehun respectively, the MoPED Minister, Madam Kenyeh Barlay informed the people that her Ministry judiciously utilizes the country’s resources for the development of the country, observed that some Districts, including Moyamba, have been neglected over the years and pledged to do all within her powers to advance Moyamba.
She furthered that government priorities the welfare of the people, that the President campaigned on the Five Big Game Changers of creating 500,000 jobs, human capital development, technology and innovation, infrastructural development and making the civil service effective among others, that the dam to be constructed would provide electricity for the entire District in addition to providing jobs and attracting the establishment of various industries.
She also disclosed that the road from Makolo to Mabang Bridge is currently under construction to be followed by the Gbangbatoke Junction and Shenge Roads that would open the District and promised to look into other areas of concern raised by the people reiterating that the District should be more advanced than at the moment and that she would ensure that it is prioritized in the country’s seven-years National Development Plan.
The Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Moyamba District, Rev. Smart Senesie recalled the President’s visit to the District in June this year during which he informed him to assemble and encourage all the Ministers and other government appointees from the District to advance Moyamba to eliminate the opposition, assured the people that the SLPP cares for them and therefore they should work and promote its interest.
According to the SLPP Chairman, the APC had since 2014 promised to construct the hydro-electric dam but to no avail as the funds were diverted to the construction of the Bankasoka hydro-electric Dam in Port Loko District and assured that the President has pledged to concentrate on the development of Moyamba District where his mother hails from.
The Speaker of Bagruwa Chiefdom lamented that the District has over the years labored for the SLPP, commended the President for appointing their sons and daughters from the District to various positions and plans to construct the road network but appealed for more support.
Some of the challenges highlighted by the people include the poor road network, lack of an equipped health center, laboratory, toilet, electricity and water supply facilities, a ferry to cross the river, construction of a bridge and pollution of the river where they fish due to mining activities.
Other constraints catalogued by the people were job opportunities for youths and micro-credit facilities for especially for women.
