THE BUMBUNA COMMISSIONING AND STORY

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EXCLUSIVE INTERV IEW WITH PROF. OGUNLADE R. DAVIDSON



Mohamed Borbor Mansaray (MBM), the Chief of Media (MEWR) had an exclusive interview with Prof. Ogunlade R. Davidson, the Minister of Energy and Water Resources

MBM:  What has been your previous professional engagement?

PROFESSOR:  Professor of Engineering and Dean of Postgraduate studies, University of Sierra Leone.

MBM:   When did you become the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, and why did you accept the offer?

PROFESSOR: I became a Minister in April 2009. I accepted because most of my research has been based on energy and this gives me the opportunity to know more.

MBM:  What have been your mandates/objectives as the Minister of Energy and Water Resources?

PROFESSOR: My main objective is to improve the access of both electricity and water in Sierra Leone by creating sustainable supply system.

MBM:  What are the challenges/constraints of the Ministry since you became Minister?

PROFESSOR:  My major challenges are we do not have both professional and administrative staff to cope with the work. Hence, we do not professionally manage the resources. Secondly, there is no suitable accommodation to house the Ministry’s workforce. Finally, there is inappropriate coordination within the water and energy related activities.

MBM:    What have you done to address them?

PROFESSOR: We have addressed the staffing problem by developing an adequate institutional component with suitable links with other departments. This is the approved model of the Ministry which has been approved by the Human Resources Management Office of the Government. As a result, the staffing has improved though not adequately. In terms of accommodation, we have recently acquired another floor in the Electricity House.

MBM:    What have you achieved since you became Minister of Energy and Water resources?

PROFESSOR: In addition to addressing the challenges posed, we have developed a National Energy Policy along with an implementation plan. We have revised the Water and Sanitation Policy; we have employed various heads of professional units within the Ministry; we have started an emergency water programme for Guma Valley Water Company; we are in the middle of reorganizing the whole water supply system in the country; we are in the middle of undertaking the power supply system or unbundling the NPA; and the completion of the Bumbuna Project Phase One. Continue on next page ...

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