By Ragan M. Conteh
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh has informed Members of the press during a public hearing of the Public Account Committee that there are lots of issues surrounding EGTC and EDSA in the country.
Electricity, Generation Transmission Company (EGTC) and Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) provide power for Sierra Leoneans.
They are faced with issues stemming from the country’s Audit Report.
“There are lots of ministries, departments and agencies that owe EDSA billions and these institutions have impeded the progress of the electricity generation over the years.”
“Both institutions EGTC and EDSA also have lots of issues to answer in terms of accountability and transparency in executing their duties and responsibilities,” Hon. Tawa Conteh said.
He made the submissions on Friday 21st June 2024 during the investigation of these MDAs on the Auditor General’s Report queries at the administrative building conference room in parliament.
“I am aware of the problems faced by these institutions and I am finding a convenient date to look at what the audit report says about EGTC and EDSA,” he stated.
“Apart from the electricity generation from private thermal plants, these two sectors should be looking at other sources to address the problems of electricity and the only thing that makes things easy for the sectors is compliance of failing to pay electricity bills,” Hon. Tawa Conteh stated.
He said by time the committee is done with EGTC and EDSA billions will have been paid to these institutions to provide electricity.
“Not everything that Sierra Leone should be begging for. There are funds held up at either individuals or institutions that lead to the stagnation of electricity provision. As a Committee, we will address these issues,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the pressing issues and they are in course of recouping government’s monies.
And he warned that those that go against the laws or those supposed to pay government will either be locked up or forced to pay the monies back.
He said those monies held at transit banks will soon reach the consolidated revenue fund account and his committee will not compromise with anybody on this, he promised.
He said those mining and construction companies that are yet to pay their tax monies to government will be closed down operations and some managers of those companies may be imprisoned for violating the laws of Sierra Leone.
He said the committee will ensure that the country will move beyond begging for everything.