TRANSCOCLSG transcoclsg
Abidjan, CI, Friday, October 11, 2024 – The Sierra Leonean Vice President extols the role the CLSG infrastructure continues to play in improving people’s access to sustainable and affordable electricity in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
On Friday, October 11, 2024, Sierra Leonean Vice President, His Excellency Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh held high-level discussions with the management of TRANSCO CLSG at the organization’s headquarters in Abidjan, La Cote d’Ivoire.
The engagement focused on developments in the regional energy market; increased access to affordable energy by the people of Sierra Leone; and the role the Sierra Leonean government can play in supporting TRANSCO CLSG’s effort to ensure the smooth transmission of energy across the CLSG member countries.
VP Jalloh used the meeting to brief the management of TRANSCO CLSG on current developments in the power sector in Sierra Leone, including the renewed focus on improving electricity generation, transmission, and distribution, through various projects.
Vice President Jalloh took cognizance of the potential of the CLSG initiative to unleash the economic potential of Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, noting that the company epitomizes “what can be collectively achieved if all the parties work together for the common good of the people.”
“I am extremely pleased to have been a part of the CLSG journey to a point where the company has now fully transitioned to a full commercial entity,” the Vice President applauded Transco CLSG for taking the project from conception to reality. “We need to leverage this asset for the good of our people, as envisaged in the institutional arrangements.”
He said his government is seeking investments to expand and modernize the energy distribution and transmission networks, including building new infrastructure to support the growing energy needs of the country. Sierra Leone, he informed the Transco management team, is actively working to address its energy needs through a combination of short-term and long-term strategies and partnerships.
These efforts are part of Sierra Leone’s broader goal to achieve sustainable and reliable energy access for all its citizens, which would boost national development and economic growth.
VP Jalloh used the occasion to assure Transco CLSG management of his government’s commitment to settle arrears due TRANSCO CLSG and CIE, to ensure unimpeded flow of electricity to Sierra Leone through the CLSG network.
According to him, Sierra Leone is transitioning to a more financially sustainable model aimed at bringing her financial obligations to the energy sector current, as part of a broader strategy to attract investments.
According to the Sierra Leonean top executive, the government is grappling with the high costs of energy generation and distribution, amidst rising demands, including for manufacturing. VP Jalloh said the government continues to pay millions in subsidies to keep light on and make energy affordable for citizens. Therefore, the need to divest from blindly providing subsidies to a financially sustainable model cannot be overemphasized.
On the regional front, VP Jalloh said his government is considering a roadmap to leverage Sierra Leone’s participation in regional energy connectivity in a mutually beneficial manner, leveraging the unique role of TRANSCO CLSG in that regard. He urged CLSG member countries that have MCC Compact to come together and consolidate a regional compact aimed at unleashing the economic potential of the sub-region.
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Earlier, the General Manager of Transco CLSG, Mohammed M. Sherif thanked Vice President Jallah for the visit which he termed timely. He updated VP Jalloh on the status of the CLSG project implementation through a presentation. Mr. Sherif underscored increased utilization of the CLSG transmission line to ensure the company’s financial viability.
He said currently, only 40 percent of the line is utilized, which presents both technical and financial challenges. The General Manager urged the support of the VP in making sure the arrears are paid, which he said is crucial at this juncture to ensure TRANSCO CLSG is well-positioned to harness opportunities.
