On November 5, 2024, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh emphasized that his extensive experience and engagement with the energy sector have demonstrated that energy is a crucial driver of sustainable national development.
Dr. Jalloh was speaking on the final day of a two-day national dialogue on climate resilience and energy transition, where stakeholders convened to discuss energy transition, investment planning, and green growth initiatives.
“Today, I can say with confidence that my experience in the sector has shown that energy is not just an enabler; it is the primary vehicle to achieve sustainable development,” Vice President Jalloh stated, adding that energy is essential to unlocking development opportunities.
He highlighted the substantial electricity debts the SLPP government inherited in 2018, which had severely strained the national budget. He noted that the challenges within the energy sector have placed a significant burden on the economy, impacting both business growth and broader development efforts.
The Vice President commended the government’s progress in improving access to reliable and sustainable electricity but stressed the need to transition from utility-focused energy to energy that drives productivity, stating that such a shift is critical to setting the country on a viable development path.
He also praised President Julius Maada Bio for his strong commitment to achieving green growth and sustainable renewable energy goals.
“The greatest challenge today lies in securing resources for investment. However, I am hopeful that this dialogue, which has brought together talents and experts from around the world to share insights, holds promise in addressing this challenge,” Dr. Jalloh concluded.
Deputy Minister of Energy I, Dr. Eldred Taylor, commended the Vice President’s efforts in advancing President Bio’s vision in energy, food security, human capital development, and infrastructure. He also acknowledged the Vice President’s successful role in the CLSG negotiations during a recent trip to Ivory Coast, undertaken at President Bio’s request.
