Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698083051521.pdf (Sierra Leone)
E-mail: sierraleoneparliament@hotmail.com/admin@parliament.gov.sl 13th April 2023 PRESS RELEASE PARLIAMENT RATIFIES ENERGY AGREEMENTS The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 13/04/2023 debated extensively and ratified energy-related agreements that are geared towards the development of the energy sector.

The following agreements were ratified by Parliament: 1.
Power purchase agreement relating to the 120 MW Bekongor III Hydroelectric power project (BHEPP), in Sierra Leone between the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and the electricity distribution and supply authority and Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd and 2.
Implementation agreement relating to the 120 MW Bekongor III hydroelectric power project (BLLEPP) in Sierra Leone between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and Nokorko Resources (SL) Ltd ( As the generator) Presenting the agreement before ratification, the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay said the objective of President Bio's Government is to make light to be affordable for the People of Sierra Leone.
He said the 120 MW project was signed by the Ministry of Finance, the Electricity Water and Regulatory Commission, and the Ministry of Energy to boast electricity supply for the whole country with a project amount of US $ 501 million.

He also said the project required new infrastructure development and it would enhance regional electricity supply trade.

He said the Government had worked assiduously to make energy possible for economic development.
He informed the House that, when the project would be implemented it would reduce electricity tariffs drastically and it would cater for nine hundred thousand consumers.

Making his submission to the debate, the Parliamentary Chairperson on Energy, Hon.

Keikura Vandy commended Parliament and the Energy Ministry for supporting the energy sector in actualizing electricity supply for the country.

Hon.
Hon.

Dr. Mark-Mahmoud Kalokoh said as an opposition, they will always support good projects from the Government and went on to say, the project would employ large number of Sierra Leoneans.

On his part, Hon .

PC Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III commended the Minister for the initiatives in implementing a positive project for the people of Sierra Leone.

The Acting Leader of C4C, Hon.


Musa Fofana commended the Minister for the generation of electricity supply and went on to highlight the importance of the agreement towards the socio-economic development of the country.

In rounding the up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon.

Hassan Sesay said for any development that concentrates on the People of Sierra Leone, the opposition party would always support it "We need affordable energy supply and not only accessibility".
He concluded In concluding the debate the Acting Leader of Government of Business, Hon.

Dickson Rogers said the agreements had to be monitored and properly implemented and went on to appreciate the work of the Energy Minister and that of the Government for boosting sustainable development on electricity supply.
In another development also, the Parliament has debated and adopted the recommendations and penalties of the Special Select Committee charged with the responsibility to investigate fake degrees and other academic awards.
The motion was moved and presented by the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon.Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and it was seconded by Hon.Joseph Williams-Lamin MPs and the Leadership of Parliament appreciated the work of the committee and promised to recommend the penalties adopted by Parliament to the Executive for the onward addition and review of the Tertiary Education Commission Act.
Also, on Thursday, 13/04/2023, Parliament debated and rejected a Private Member Motion entitled: " The Public Elections (Early Voting ) Regulations, 2023".

The motion was moved by Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon.

Bashiru Silikie and was seconded by Hon.

Musa Fofana.

The motion read thus, "Be it resolved that in accordance with Section 170 (7) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act NO.6 of 1991 in tandem with S. O.
25 (2), I move that, the document entitled: " The Public Elections (Early Voting ) Regulations, 2023 be debated.

According to the mover of the motion, the instrument intends to create opportunity for compatriots going for this year's Pilgrimage to vote before traveling as the Hajj is going to coincide with the 2023 Elections.

However, the Main Opposition, APC opposed the instrument and the Rt.

Hon.

Speaker, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu asked the House to vote for annulment of the document.
In summation, eight Members of Parliament, mostly of the Main Opposition voted in favour of the motion to be annulled and twenty-two predominantly of the Ruling SLPP and others voted against it.

The motion was not carried and the Speaker had earlier told the House that the motion was unnecessary and stated it required a two-thirds majority.

He categorically stated that, the regulations will therefore mature into law with immediate effect.
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