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According to the Head of PRESSD-SL, Karl Segschnieder, the project is not only targeting 45, 000 households but will evidently benefits over 85, 000 Sierra Leoneans in its implementation areas. He pointed out that the project is being implemented in partnership with the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Energy. Karl recounted that schools, hospitals, community health centers, agricultural processing centers and rural financial institutions will also manifestly benefit from this renewable energy system being introduced in the country.
Karl Segschnieder noted that the project came into existence following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government of Sierra Leone and the PRESSD-Sierra Leone Team. He revealed that the signed MoU seeks amongst other issues, to enhance the implementation of the project in line with the government’s energy policy.
The project, he charged, will be implemented in Kambia, Bombali, and Port Loko Districts in the Northern part of the country and Kenema, Kailahun and Kono Districts in the East of Sierra Leone. He furthered that four (4) Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are covering the various aspects of this project implementation: Energy for Opportunity (ENFO), IBIS (Danish Development Cooperation), CooperazioneInternazionale (COOPI) and Welthungerhilfe (WHH).
Mr. Segschnieder went on to state that access to energy in rural communities in Sierra Leone will help to improve social and economic activities at different levels, while adding that the project will improve living conditions of people and also increase the income of the rural population.
He intimated that after a need assessment of different target groups like private households, public services, and governmental institutions, renewable energy solutions will be supported whilst individuals or groups will be trained to manage the energy infrastructure. This, he added will be subsequently transformed into rural electricity companies and will help to sustain mid- and long-term management and maintenance of these facilities.
