With So Much Power And Authority Bestowed On Him… KKY Has No Excuse To Fail President Bio And The Nation
By: Lansana Fofanah
Who says Honorable Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella also known as KKY is powerless when it comes to taking crucial decisions in the energy sector?
In fact, he is the most decorated and powerful serving government official with several portfolios.
The resignation of the former Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, was seen by many as the end to the power crisis in the country. But for the News 24 editorial team, it was the beginning of a long ride since government-in-government-out has failed to prioritize home-grown solutions.
Only a few countries in the subregion are using emergency power sources like Karpowership as many now depend on national grid.
With several appointments, KKY was expected to put an end to the energy crisis based on his wealth of experience.
He is currently the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security.
By virtue of that office, he is also in charge of delivering Food Security which is a flagship program of the current government.
In July 2024,
KKY in a government press conference highlighted significant inefficiencies within the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
KKY deemed the current EDSA management as incapable of resolving the ongoing issues; thereby leading to a 62% loss in its operations, noting that if that is not addressed, they will not be able to pay service providers including Karpowership.
“If we don’t fix EDSA, we are dead. The whole economy would die, including small businesses that depend on energy to survive. We will lose half a million dollars in the next few years,” said KKY.
It was after that impressive PowerPoint presentation that he was also appointed by President Bio as Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group in September 2024.
The Energy Governance Coordination Group has a mandate to provide short and long-term solutions in addressing the energy challenge through effective Communications.
Feeling still not powerful and needing more authority, President Bio in December 2024 ordered both deputies in the Ministry to directly report to Kandeh Yumkella for effective leadership and proactive decision-making in the energy sector.
There has never been a situation where the two deputy ministers have been insubordinate to him or believed to be working differently from the agenda of the president.
What else is left to be done that has not been done for the energy expert to fix our energy?
KKY has been the hard-talker and all-knowing when it comes to renewable and the energy sector.
Every Sierra Leonean had tipped him to be the natural Minister of Energy based on his vast experience in the global energy sector. This is definitely not yielding any dividend at the moment.
We are yet to see the impact of his reforms if any with all those powers.
The decision for President Bio to arm KKY with every authority, was to give him the absolute power to deliver for the people of Sierra Leone.
Sadly, the city of Freetown is battling with epileptic energy since the Karpowership contract is proven not sustainable.
Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella in his recent interview on the Africa Young Voice’s Wake Up Sierra Leone program, revealed that the government owes Karpowership over $90 million dollars in debt
This is a clear indication that the energy crisis is far from over. His theoretical analysis and problem-solving skills have failed to impact the energy sector.
For him to say that abandoned generators are now being repaired as an alternative to Karpowership is alarming.
Those generators were abandoned because of high cost of maintenance and fuel, and for the government to be advised to focus on them instead of the Bumbuna hydro shows we are still in the woods.
With all those titles, the people of Sierra Leone expect nothing from KKY but results.
Both EDSA, EGTC,and the two deputies are under the supervision of KKY.
News 24 publication
23/02/25
