By Ragan M. Conteh

During a heated session of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Energy held at the Parliament Building Committee Room 1, Hon. John Sattie voiced strong concerns over the inadequate performance of contractors implementing energy projects across the country.

As member of the committee, Hon. Sattie was particularly critical of the selective approach taken by contractors, pointing out that they focused solely on the “top areas” while neglecting the “bottom areas” often the communities most in need.

Hon. Sattie highlighted the growing tensions between farmers and society, emphasizing that the negligence was not just a technical issue but a social injustice.

He condemned the contractors for presenting an illusion of progress while the deeper, more rural communities remained excluded from the benefits of energy infrastructure. According to him, the depth of neglect amounts to a hidden atrocity that must be addressed urgently.

He stressed the importance of deploying highly qualified technical specialists to ensure that the correct technology is applied in all regions. Hon. Sattie warned that without such intervention, the nation stands to suffer significant losses. He urged the Minister of Energy not to bear the blame for the systemic failures and instead take bold action to demand accountability and performance from contractors.

In a powerful closing statement, Hon. Sattie challenged the Ministry to assert its authority and “shout” for better-qualified personnel in the technical field. He made it clear that if the current inefficiencies persist, those involved would be seen as unfit for their roles.

His repeated expressions of “thank you” at the end of his speech underlined both his passion and frustration, reinforcing his demand for immediate and resolute action.