Alhaji Ibrahim Kanja Sesay has resigned from his position as Sierra Leone's Minister of Energy, effective immediately,
As the country grapples with an electricity crisis. Sesay's resignation comes amidst mounting pressure over the government's handling of a significant debt owed to Turkish Karpowership, a major player in the country's energy sector.
While the exact reasons for his resignation have not been made public, a family source revealed that Sesay feels undermined by the Ministry of Finance regarding the payment of a debt exceeding US$40 million to the Turkish Karpowership. Sesay, appointed Minister of Energy in 2018, was considered a close confidant of President Julius Maada Bio. Upon his appointment, Sesay made addressing the country's energy crisis a top priority.
One of his first major interventions was to negotiate a contract with the Turkish Karpowership, which he claimed would save the government US$18 million. This agreement was touted as a significant step towards resolving the country's energy challenges. However, despite Sesay's efforts, Sierra Leone continues to face an energy crisis with severe consequences. Recently, the electricity shortage led to the tragic death of a baby at one of the largest referral hospitals in the capital, Freetown.
The incident underscores the urgent need for effective solutions to the ongoing energy crisis. Sesay's departure leaves Sierra Leone's energy sector in a precarious position. As the longest-serving Energy Minister in recent times, his resignation highlights the government's challenges in addressing the country's energy needs. With the energy crisis showing no signs of abating, President Bio has reportedly issued an ultimatum, threatening to personally intervene in the energy sector if the situation does not improve.
One potential outcome of Sesay's resignation is that President Bio may opt to place the Energy Ministry directly under his office, providing direct supervision to address the prolonged power outage. Such a move would signal the government's recognition of the severity of the energy crisis and its commitment to finding a solution. In the meantime, the people of Sierra Leone continue to suffer from the consequences of the electricity shortage.
Businesses are struggling, healthcare facilities are unable to function effectively, and ordinary citizens are left in the dark. The urgent need for action to resolve the energy crisis has never been clearer, and all eyes are now on President Bio and his government to deliver on their promises to the people of Sierra Leone.