The local representative of Karpowership in Sierra Leone has confirmed that, the head office in Turkey, has taken the โpainful but necessary decisionโ to scale down electricity supply to the countryโs main grid from 65MW to 5MW due mainly to the Government of Sierra Leoneโs failure to meet payment obligation to the company.
In November 2023, the Minister of Finance, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, promised to make substantial payments to Karpowership in order to keep supply running. That promise was heartlessly broken.
In December 2023, Mr. Bangura repeated his commitment to pay Karpowership before the end of the year. That commitment was again mindlessly broken.
Between 1st January and 13th February 2024, the Finance Minister made several commitments of payment to Karpowership which were not met. This has led to the decision by the management of Karpowership to scale down electricity supply from 65MW to 5MW.
A spokesman for Karpowership in Freetown told the Global Times last night that they had notified the Government of a total shutdown by midnight last night but they decided to maintain a 5MW supply because of security and humanitarian consideration. The 5MW will be used mainly for essential services.
Recently, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Bank of Sierra Leone, announced the sale of Treasury Bills and Bonds amounting to Le350 Billion (Old Leones) in order to be able to raise funds to pay government contractors and suppliers.
A good number of government contractors confirmed last night that they had still not received a single cent as payment from the Ministry of Finance.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Finance informed the Global Times yesterday that, they were mobilizing funds to be able to pay government contractors. He refused to elaborate.
Investigations continue.
