Sierra Leone's Energy Minister Kanja Sesay resigned on Friday over a weeks-long electricity crisis, the same day the government announced it had paid some of the tens of millions of dollars it owed to energy providers.
In his resignation letter on Friday, Sesay said he took full responsibility for the crisis. The office of the President Julius Maada Bio later announced that the energy ministry would fall under the direct supervision of the president.
Shortly after Sesay's resignation, the government said in a statement that it had paid $17 million of the $48 million owed to Turkey's Karpowership, which provides electricity to the capital Freetown.
A spokesman for the company confirmed the payment to Reuters and said full electricity supplies had been restored to the capital.
"We are pleased to confirm that the power supply at full capacity to Sierra Leone has been restored," the company said in a statement.
Since mid-April, Freetown and the cities of Bo, Kenema and Koidu have experienced multi-day stretches without electricity.
In an email to Reuters on April 19, Karpowership said it was owed $48 million and had scaled down supplies to six megawatts from 60 megawatts.
At that time, it said it had not received payment from the government of Sierra Leone for "a protracted period" and was therefore unable pay fuel suppliers on behalf of the West African country.
In September, Karpowership switched off the electricity supply to Freetown over an unpaid debt of around $40 million, authorities said at the time.
Hospitals have struggled to cope, with at least one infant at the main children's hospital having died due to the blackout, according to doctor Jeredine George. Medics had been using their mobile phone torches to carry out procedures, she said, while many had taken to social media to express their frustration.
The government statement also said it had paid $1.5 million to TRANSCO-CLSG, another electricity provider, which supplies the south and east of the country.
Reuters could not confirm the total sum that provider was owed.
Latest Stories
-
Voter registration: Dadieso Immigration assures tight border security to prevent foreigners
1 min -
MTN FA Cup: Dreams FC chase another final slot; Nsoatreman play Legon Cities
1 min -
Explore, find and control – Dr. Bawumia’s paradigm shift policy for Ghana’s natural resource management
17 mins -
My father abandoned me at birth when he saw I was an albino – Byno
22 mins -
Harry and Meghan begin three-day Nigeria visit
46 mins -
Gloria Bempong: Nurturing growth; the revered gift of womanhood
1 hour -
Telecel Ghana partners Infinix to offer exclusive internet deals with NOTE 40 series launch
1 hour -
Tiwa Savage releases soundtrack album for debut feature film ‘Water and Gari’
2 hours -
NDC asking for serial numbers of BVRs is an insult to its agents – Haruna Mohammed
2 hours -
Former UTAG President jabs Dormaahene over Bawumia running mate comment
2 hours -
Enimil Ashon: Cecilia and Akonta: President told us so!
2 hours -
Andy Murray to make injury return next week
2 hours -
Dominic Thiem forced into early retirement after injuries
2 hours -
Is Sarkodie a ‘betweener’ to add his voice to Bob Marley’s ‘Stir It Up’ love letter to his wife? – Blakk Rasta quizzes
2 hours -
I take a seat to celebrate so I can be different – Mohammed Kudus
2 hours