By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In an exclusive interview with AYV TV , the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, detailed the country’s strides in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) initiatives. Highlighting the nation’s significant progress, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh emphasized the critical advancements in modernizing the country’s electricity infrastructure.
He revealed that the MCC has approved a comprehensive program to construct modern transmission and distribution lines, aiming to enhance the generation and nationwide distribution of electricity. Additionally, there is a concerted effort to modernize the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to improve its operational efficiency, including better sales of electricity and improved payment collection, which will help reduce technical and commercial losses.
Since 2018, the Sierra Leonean Government has been actively overseeing MCC projects, with Dr. Jalloh at the helm of the $42 million threshold program. According to him, he chairs the Unit responsible for managing MCC’s activities and played a key role in developing the compact, ensuring robust governance structures and securing the program’s approval. He reassured that the implementation of the compact will be carried out efficiently over the next five years under Government supervision.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh expressed pride in Sierra Leone’s record-setting achievement in developing the compact, noting the country’s ability to anticipate and address challenges by learning from countries like Senegal and Ghana. Impressively, Sierra Leone developed the compact without external consultants, relying instead on internal expertise, he said with pride.
The Vice President recounted his proactive lobbying efforts in Washington D.C., which were instrumental in securing the compact. He emphasized the compact’s importance for Sierra Leone’s economic development, stating that it will unlock the country’s economic potential. The successful lobbying led to a commitment to the compact, which was subsequently awarded the following year, he maintained.
From what he divulged, the Government plans to allocate approximately $226 million to the transmission backbone project, $128 million to distribution and access, $50 million to power sector reform, $72 million to program administration and control, and $7 million to monitoring and evaluation, all under the MCC Compact Program aimed at addressing the country’s energy challenges.
Dr. Jalloh has been appointed Chairman of the Board supervising the implementation of the $480 million grant from the United States Government, pending Congressional approval. The MCC Board of Directors approved the grant investments, recognizing Sierra Leone’s progress in implementing the Agreement for National Unity and the impending finalization of the draft Electoral Review Committee report.
“This is a momentous occasion and a tangible step towards transforming Sierra Leone’s energy sector and ensuring our people will have access to reliable and affordable power. It will accelerate private sector development and sustainable economic development,” Dr. Juldeh Jalloh tweeted.
The $480 million investment signifies the MCC Board’s acknowledgment of Sierra Leone’s advancements and commitment to national unity, paving the way for substantial improvements in the country’s energy sector.
