A World Bank supervision team on Wednesday 20th September 2023, held a meeting with Sierra Leone's Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, to update him on the Bank's energy-funded projects, specifically the Energy Sector Utility Reform Project (ESURP) and the Energy Sector Large-Scale Electrification Project (ESLEAP).
Senior Energy Specialist at the World Bank, Paul Kagaba, said the team was impressed with the implementation of the Bank-funded energy projects, and expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Energy for creating a conducive environment and forging a solid partnership with the Bank.
He said the Energy Sector Utility Reform Project has been extended to March 2024 at the request of the Government of Sierra Leone, and that administrative and technical plans were underway to ensure a seamless transition from ESURP to ESLEAP under the Additional Financing Program.
Energy Specialist at the World Bank, Anshul Rana, said the Bank had demonstrated its interest in the energy sector in the country and had taken steps to ensure that projects funded by the Bank were fully implemented.
In his response, Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, thanked the World Bank on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio and described electricity as a critical driver of national development. He said he was not oblivious of the crucial role the WB was playing in helping Sierra Leone harness its full energy potentials.
Mr. Sesay assured the team that his Ministry and sector players were fully committed to collaborating with the Bank. He praised the team for putting together the findings of their mission, which he said would be taken in good faith, and assured further that his Ministry would carefully examine the report and improve on areas listed as challenging.
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