By Bockarie Kamara
The Chairman of Parliament’s Oversight Committee on Energy, Hon. Momoh Bockarie, has expressed disappointment over the failure of senior officials of the Ministry of Energy to attend a committee meeting convened to discuss the state of electricity supply and energy-related challenges in Sierra Leone.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, was intended to bring together officials of the Ministry of Energy and its affiliated agencies to deliberate on the country’s energy situation, including the growing problem of electricity theft.
Addressing committee members, Hon. Bockarie, who represents Kenema District under the District Proportional Representation System in the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic, described the absence of the Minister of Energy and his deputies as disappointing.
He noted that although representatives from agencies such as the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC), and the Chairman of the Renewable Energy Association, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, attended the meeting, the absence of the ministry’s political leadership undermined the committee’s work.
“It is disappointing because we were expecting an open discussion on the current energy situation in the country and the issue of electricity theft. The Minister and his deputies were invited but failed to attend,” he said.
Hon. Bockarie further observed that the failure of officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to respond to parliamentary invitations is gradually becoming an uncomfortable trend.
He revealed that the matter had previously been discussed during meetings between parliamentary committee chairpersons and the leadership of Parliament, including the Speaker and the Leader of Government Business.
According to him, Parliament’s committee system is designed to foster collaboration between the Legislature and the Executive, identify challenges affecting public institutions, and develop recommendations that can improve service delivery through legislation and policy reforms.
“We should be seen as partners in development. Parliamentary committees exist all over the world to engage institutions, identify challenges, and make recommendations that can strengthen governance and service delivery,” he stated.
The Energy Committee Chairman also referenced Parliament’s recent debate on the amendment of the Bikongor Mini Hydro-Electric Power Project agreement, noting that Sierra Leone still has significant work to do in achieving energy sufficiency.
He commended President Julius Maada Bio for efforts aimed at expanding access to electricity through various energy initiatives, including solar mini-grids and thermal energy projects.
“We are not there yet, but progress is being made. Government is trying to harness different energy sources to establish a strong and sustainable energy supply across the country,” he said.
Former Chairman of the Parliamentary Energy Committee, Hon. Kekura Vandi, also expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of senior ministry officials.
He recalled that during his tenure as committee chairman, ministers and senior officials consistently honoured parliamentary summons.
“During my time as Chairman of the Energy Committee, I never experienced this kind of embarrassment. Whenever the Minister, Deputy Ministers, or Permanent Secretary were invited, they always attended,” he said.
“How can we summon the Minister and his team and they fail to attend? It is an affront to Parliament,” Hon. Vandi added.
He advised the current committee leadership to develop effective strategies to ensure that political heads of ministries respond promptly to parliamentary invitations.
Speaking on behalf of Parliament’s leadership, Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers directed the Clerk of Parliament, through the Committee Chairman, to write a formal complaint to the Secretary to the President regarding the conduct of the Minister and Deputy Ministers of Energy.
Hon. Rogers described the meeting as crucial, particularly given the growing concern over electricity theft across the country.
He accused some MDAs of treating Parliament with disregard and stressed the need for stronger measures to address power theft, which continues to undermine the energy sector.
The Chief Whip also expressed sympathy for EDSA, noting that the institution faces significant challenges in meeting the country’s electricity demands due largely to widespread illegal connections and power theft.
He explained that Government remains obligated to meet financial commitments to energy suppliers, including Karpowership, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea, while the sector struggles to generate sufficient revenue because of losses resulting from electricity theft.
“We must find ways to legislate and enforce measures that will put an end to electricity theft. The sector cannot continue to lose revenue while government remains responsible for paying energy suppliers,” he said.
The committee is expected to continue engagements with key stakeholders as Parliament seeks solutions to the country’s persistent energy challenges and revenue losses within the power sector
