By: Thaimu Bia Sesay
President Julius Maada Bio in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy inaugurated the 2024 Energy Sector Roundtable today at the New Brookfield Hotel in Freetown. With the theme “Countdown to 2030: Sustainable Energy for All,” the initiative aims to foster discussions and initiatives towards achieving clean and sustainable energy across all regions of the country.
President Bio emphasized the pivotal role of energy in societal development, highlighting its significance in facilitating transformational progress. He acknowledged Sierra Leone’s potential in renewable energy sources and underscored the importance of transitioning these resources into practical and affordable energy solutions for domestic and commercial use.
In his opening statement, President Bio stressed the government’s commitment to prioritizing energy accessibility and availability for all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of geographic location. He aligned the objectives of the roundtable with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, emphasizing the need for sustainable energy to support initiatives such as the Feed Salone program.
President Bio acknowledged the challenges ahead in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 7 set by the United Nations, particularly in terms of ensuring access to clean and affordable energy. He emphasized the need to move away from temporary energy solutions towards long-lasting and affordable baseload energy sources to accelerate development agendas.
However, President Bio also highlighted existing barriers hindering progress towards sustainable energy goals, urging stakeholders to reconsider agreements and bureaucracies that impede advancements in the sector. He called upon the Ministry of Energy, as well as energy utility companies EDSA and EGTC, to make sincere commitments towards realizing the vision of sustainable energy for all by 2030.
President Bio concluded by urging Sierra Leoneans to foster a sense of patriotism and trust in each other, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding national infrastructure, particularly energy supply facilities, for the benefit of communities across the nation.
The launch of the 2024 Energy Sector Roundtable marks a significant step forward in Sierra Leone’s journey towards achieving clean and sustainable energy for all citizens by 2030, reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing critical energy challenges and driving transformative development across the country.
