PARLIAMENT APPROVES NEW MINISTER OF ENERGY.

The Fourth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma on Thursday, 27/11/2025, been approved Presidential Nominee, Dr. Cyril Arnold Grant, Minister, Ministry of Energy

Presenting the Nominee to the plenary, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma explained to Members of Parliament how the aforesaid nominee was interviewed.

According to the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, the nominee was interviewed under oaths and issues pertaining to experiences gained over the years and track records. The Leader said they also probed into other issues, which include tax obligations, asset declaration, and vision for productive tenure of his appointment.

He proceeded by telling colleague Members of Parliament that other matters regarding the nominee were critically looked into. Hon. Nyuma stated that the Report reflects the unanimous view of the committee.

Seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader 2 of Opposition, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma described the energy sector as very important in national development.

He continued that the need for energy keeps growing nationwide with so many challenges hindering the sector.

Hon Aaron said the Ministry of Energy should focus more on renewable sources to general electricity for the people of Sierra Leone. ’’EDSA should think of being more innovative in order to improve energy access across Sierra Leone’’ he said.

 He said that despite the huge increment in the cost of energy, accessing electricity to communities is difficult. ‘’When EDSA collect 15GST from customers they don’t pay to NRA, you have to be responsive ‘’ he said.

He continued by encouraging the Minister of Energy and other sector players to work tirelessly and improve electricity supply in the country.’’ Consider Mile 91 and other towns that are in need of energy’’ he ended.

Hon. Kekura Vandi, representing Bo District, admitted that, indeed, the energy sector still had a major challenge across the country and that energy distribution and supply are capital intensive. He said the current President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has done more than all previous presidents in the energy sector. He said that transmission and distribution networks are a major challenge affecting energy supply in the country. He expressed dissatisfaction with some of the undedicated staff at EDSA, which is affecting the daily electricity supply in the country. He ended by admonishing the nominee to apply teamwork in order to provide sufficient electricity in the country.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, representing Kambia District, said the economy of the State is affecting energy productivity in the country. He said that what is being portrayed on social media does not reflect the true energy picture in Kambia and called for more government intervention to provide energy for the people.

He joined the previous debater in admitting that some of the workers are not encouraged, thereby affecting daily activities in the sector. "You don’t expect results and effectiveness when the people are not motivated," he said.

He said the nominee needs teamwork to motivate the workers in order to make the job easier for the people.

Hon. Moses Edwin, representing Bonth District, described the nominee as a selfless and experienced citizen who has the tenacity to help improve the energy sector.

He added that, with the huge experience in the energy sector, the nominee would perform by providing sufficient electricity in the country. "Don’t allow yourself to be lured into things that you have never done," he cautioned.

Rounding up the debate on the side of the opposition, the Acting Leader of Opposition Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma said the main focus of Parliament is to scan nominees appointed by the President. He said that if Parliament proofed a convicted person and had doubt on the integrity of the nominee, the nominee wouldn’t be approved by Parliament.

He narrated the various stages Parliament goes through in approving Presidential nominees. He referred to the Nominee as the ‘’Crawo’’ of the Ministry of Energy with dozens of experiences.

He admonished EDSA to have modalities in mind to address MDAs who have arrear to the institution in terms of electricity payment. ’ We are expecting faster results from CLSG in providing electricity to the people of Sierra Leone. He described illegal connection as a 'witchcraft' affecting the economy of the country.

He continued by saying that there is a need to digitize electricity connection and usage in the country. "For the past 6 months, the electricity supply in Freetown has been stable," he ended.

Concluding the debate on the side of the Government, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said the nominee was examined by the committee and could endorse his qualifications.

He noted that hard work brings people to institutional memory. "We are trying to fix the electricity and energy sector in the country," he said.

Hon. Nyuma continued that, there are still challenges in the supply of electricity and that the Government is committed to addressing the challenges.

He said the CLSG project is almost completed and that 20 megawatt from Ivory Coast and 10 Megawatt from Guinea would be provided to enhance electricity in the country.

Hon. Nyuma said the President appoints people not on party cards but by competence, character, and performance. He said the Government is looking at voting pattern but providing development to all citizens regardless of their regions and party colours. He ended by encouraging the nominee to prioritize the needs of the people by providing frequent electricity supply to communities across the country. "We are providing sustainable, accessible and affordable electricity to everyone’’ he ended.