The Head of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Ministry of Energy, Robin F Mansaray has said that Port Loko District tops most solar light theft across the country as compared to other areas which is causing severe economic loss to the Government of Sierra Leone.
He said out of the 360 solar lights that was installed in Port Loko District many have been stolen or vandalized by locals for selfish interest.
He disclosed that recently few solar light were also installed at Rogberre Bridge for visibility at night to avoid accidents, sadly few days later they discovered that panels and batteries have been ripped off by thieves.
He expressed frustration and disappointment over the attitude of Port Loko residents for not sparing the solar lights that are meant to provide electricity for dark communities within the Township.
He said some arrests have been made but people are still in the habit of stealing the solar light despite several sensitization of the people on the importance of the lights to them.
He said so far, we have not received much problem from Bo, Kenema, Kailahun, Moyamba, as far as Bonthe noting that the people of the South and East are so happy about the street solar lights that everybody is a security for it because of its benefits to the people.
Robin F Mansaray also expressed disgust over the lack of respect for Government Properties in Port Loko District describing some of the inhabitants as people that undermine their own development.
He said local chiefs and other stakeholders were directly involved in the installation process and locals were also recruited as technicians, so it is disheartening for them to steal a property that is meant to benefit them.
According to our Investigation 8,800 solar lights were installed across the country as a pilot phase from a grant provided by the Indian Government and implemented by an Indian based Company Angelic International in 2012.
The solar lights were distributed to District Headquarter Towns including Freetown and during the Ebola epidemic some were also installed at the Ebola treatment and isolation centers.
Some of the solar lights installed in Port Loko District Ebola treatment and Isolation centers were completely stolen to the dismay of the Energy Ministry and Local authorities.
He said plans are also underway for the removal of the solar lights at ebola treatment centers to be installed in communities that are in high demand for the lights.
Some residents of Port Loko interviewed disclosed that the some residents are notorious in stealing Government, NGO’s and Investors properties citing the huge theft of former African Mineral’s oil and train tracks.
The Head of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the Energy Ministry Robin F Mansaray said a fact finding mission is currently across the country to get a list of defaulted solar lights for repairs.
He also noted that drivers may have damaged some solar streetlights and they are closely working with the Sierra Leone Police to bring culprits to Justice.
A solar light pole, battery, panel with 30 watts bulbs cost around USD $ 3,000.00 and defaulters are usually asked to pay to the Ministry’s account for any damage done on the street solar light.
Speaking further he said currently negotiations are ongoing for the award of contract for the installation of 50,000 street solar lights with 60 to 90 watts bulbs to increase brightness of the solar lights which is funded by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Every Chiefdom headquarter Town will benefit from the street solar lights this time around, when installation begins in 2017 and the contract will be awarded to every region with the involvement of local stakeholders.
He cautioned people to desist from damaging or stealing the solar lights as they as a ministry cannot provide security for every solar light across the country but locals can do so because it is for their own benefits.
By Saidu Bah
ADVERTISEMENT