By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
A usually reliable police source has told Politico that two people, a man and a woman have been arrested in connection with the fire that destroyed electricity poles in the Tombo area in the Freetown Peninsula. Our source says a team of experienced detectives is on the ground now to continue the investigation. The police source refused to be drawn on the identity of those now detained. Politico understands that 50 poles were destroyed.
The incident comes less than a week after the government of Sierra Leone signed a US $15m grant agreement for the electrification of the Freetown Peninsula.
The Ministry of Energy issued a press statement condemning the action saying “the poles that were torched are imported wooden poles, some of which had been erected in October 2022 as part of the Western Area Distribution Network Expansion project to improve on the current network of electricity distribution in the Western Area.
The ministry adds that the “project entails the construction of five substations from Aberdeen in the West to Waterloo in the East” and that poles were amassed at Tombo in anticipation of the erection and commencement of the stringing of cables.
According to the ministry the project which was “estimated to be completed between February and March 2023” may now face a delay because of the fire incident.
The ministry faced resistance from some community members when they first went to Tombo looking for land to locate the electricity distribution equipment. Many EDSA transformers and cables were stolen or vandalized throughout this year by people accused of political sabotage.
Meanwhile Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, has received exhibits including 26 bags of copper cables and a vehicle from Chief Justice, Babatunde Edwards. These were exhibits used in prosecuting people accused of stealing electricity materials.
Justice Edwards said theft of electricity materials and vandalization of installations was becoming a cash cow for criminals or an arena of mischief making for unpatriotic citizens. He said the copper cables and the vehicle recovered from the accused were being handed over to EDSA and the state and stressed that the outcome of the matter would create deterrence.
He spoke of the commitment of the judiciary to speedily deal with matters relating to theft of electricity materials and warned the public against engaging in such unscrupulous acts.
Energy minister Alhaji Kanja Sesay, bemoaned the negative developments and the dire consequences such acts had on EDSA's quest to deliver stable power to citizens. He said the theft of electricity materials and the vandalization of installations had been declared a national security concern and mentioned how he had approached the Chief Justice whom he described as collaborative and hard working.
Mr. Sesay thanked the judiciary for “responsibly and speedily” handling the matter, adding that the level of collaboration between his Ministry and the Judiciary would be strengthened.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (23/12/22)
