During the Singimi Hydroelectric Waterfall assessment in Moyamba, Minister Kenyeh Barlay expressed government’s willingness to bolster energy access across Sierra Leone

Singimi, Bagruwa Chiefdom, Moyamba District – Saturday, August 24, 2024: In a significant step towards enhancing energy access across Sierra Leone, Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, led a high-profile delegation to the Shingimi Waterfall in Bagruwa Chiefdom, Moyamba District. The team included the Deputy Minister of Energy 1, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the Minister of Defense, and other key officials, all united in their mission to assess the hydroelectric potential of the Shingimi site.

The visit marks a crucial phase in the effort to transform the Singimi Waterfall project from a conceptual stage into a bankable venture. The project, which has been under consideration for years , requires an updated feasibility study to attract investors for its development as a renewable energy source. A technical team comprising experts from MoPED, the Ministry of Energy (MoE), and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct a thorough review of the site after the visit.

Minister Kenyeh Barlay emphasized the government’s dedication to advancing the Singimi project, noting that studies on the site’s viability and profitability had been conducted in 1985, 2012, and 2014. She highlighted the project’s potential to provide much-needed electricity to Moyamba District and beyond, contributing significantly to Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure.

“This project is a top priority for the government,” Barlay stated. “It has the potential to be a bankable venture, with stages that include feasibility, viability, profitability, and the development of a comprehensive business plan. We are committed to providing the necessary resources for these studies and, once developed, we will collaborate with the Ministry of Energy to engage potential investors.”

Barlay also stressed the importance of considering the social impact of the project. “We have already begun dialogues with community stakeholders to ensure that their voices are heard and that the project benefits all.”

During a meeting with residents of Bagruwa Chiefdom and Sembehun Nancy Tucker, Minister Barlay, along with other ministers from Moyamba District, reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding energy access across the region. She underscored that reliable, low-cost energy from local renewable resources could drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve living standards.

“This project offers an excellent renewable energy solution that can electrify rural areas and support productive uses,” she said. “It is a mature technology that can be easily designed, operated, and maintained locally.”

Minister Barlay also referenced the collaboration with UNIDO since 2012 on a feasibility study for a 10-MW hydropower project connected to Njala University. The Moyamba hydro project, located at the Singimi Falls on the Gbangba River, is set to be developed as a public-private partnership, supplying power to Moyamba, Njala University, Sierra Rutile and its environs.

She outlined her ministry’s key roles, including national planning and the responsible management of natural resources. She also discussed Sierra Leone’s seven-year Mid-Term National Development Plan, emphasizing five transformative initiatives: the “Feed Sierra Leone” program, Human Capital Development through education and healthcare, the creation of 500,000 youth jobs to curb anti-social behavior, infrastructure improvements in roads, electricity, and technology, and civil service reforms for enhanced efficiency.

Deputy Minister of Energy 1, Dr. Eldred Taylor, praised MoPED for its leadership in revisiting the Singimi project. He reaffirmed President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to expanding energy access across Sierra Leone through various generation sources, with Singimi being a key hydroelectric potential site.

“Thanks to the support from Minister Barlay, we have secured funding from the Ministry of Finance to advance this project to a bankable stage,” Dr. Taylor announced. He also mentioned plans to launch the procurement process for consultancy services to update the feasibility studies, taking into account changes in baseline parameters over the years.

Chairman of the Moyamba District Council, Smart Senesie, expressed his gratitude to the team, particularly acknowledging the presence of appointees from the district. He emphasized the importance of giving back to one’s community and praised the initiative as a significant opportunity for the district’s benefit. Senesie also urged the stakeholders to expedite the process, highlighting the district’s urgent development needs.

The residents of Bagruwa Chiefdom and surrounding communities expressed strong support for the project, voicing their commitment to its success and their appreciation for the government’s efforts to revitalize the country’s energy infrastructure. Technicians from various government agencies provided positive feedback on the project’s viability and timeliness, reinforcing the optimism surrounding its potential impact.

For further information, please contact the Ministry of Planning & Economic Development Communications Team at +23279174027 or visit the Ministry’s official social media handles: @moped2024 on Facebook and Twitter.