Hon. AKK Criticizes Govt’
s Approach to MCC Energy Compact
By Benjamin S. Conteh
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, Member of Parliament for Kambia District and the opposition Chief Whip, has issued a strong warning to the government, urging them to refrain from what he described as manipulative politics and misleading the public. The lawmaker made the remarks during an exclusive interview, where he unveiled the reality behind the much-publicized Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) energy compact for Sierra Leone.
According to the legislator, he was perplexed during the ratification of the MCC one-year national agreement for Sierra Leone after realizing that the compact focuses solely on transmission lines and neglects energy generation. “In real terms, as a nation, we don’t have enough energy generation sources,” the MP stated.
He further questioned, “If we don’t have enough energy to supply the market, where do we source the energy to transmit?” Hon. Kamara expressed concern over the way the MCC energy compact has been presented by the government, stating that it differs greatly from the reality on the ground.
The MP traced the origins of the MCC energy compact blunder, recalling that during the State Opening of Parliament in 2020-2021, President Julius Maada Bio told citizens, donor partners, and diplomats that the country had enough electricity generation, and that the issue lay solely in transmission lines.
Hon. Kamara lamented that abandoning the Bumbuna Phase II project in favor of the MCC energy compact was a grave mistake, referring to the Bumbuna project as a hallmark of the country’s energy sector. “Sierra Leone is rich in hydro potential, and as a result, the country should not have any problem with energy,” he asserted.
He humorously questioned, “If we don’t have enough rice to cook, why are we purchasing too many plates?” highlighting the absurdity of prioritizing transmission over generation.
Hon. Kamara considers the MCC energy compact a misguided investment and urged the government to focus on securing funding for energy generation instead. He warned that without this shift in priorities, the MCC energy compact for Sierra Leone could end up being a wasted opportunity.
“We have the capacity to export electricity if only we invest correctly in the sector,” he added.
In general, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara views the MCC agreement as beneficial for the country, particularly in terms of the democratic principles it promotes. However, he believes that the compact will not yield the desired results unless it is implemented in a way that addresses the nation’s energy needs comprehensively.
