Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairman of Sierra Leone’s Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy & Food Security, has sharply criticized the Bumbuna Hydropower Project, labeling it a symbol of mismanagement, flawed agreements, and lost opportunities.

His remarks come amid growing concerns about the project’s prolonged delays and inefficiencies.The Bumbuna II Hydroelectric Power Station, a planned 143-megawatt facility, was initially commissioned in 2009 at a cost of $327 million.

Despite its significant investment, the project has failed to meet Sierra Leone’s electricity demands, sparking frustration and criticism from various stakeholders.

Speaking at a recent Ministry of Information and Civic Education press conference, Dr. Yumkella highlighted the stalled progress of the project, which has been plagued by shifting ownership and a lack of tangible outcomes for over a decade.

He criticized the developers for demanding $90 million in compensation without substantial advancement in construction or energy delivery.”These assets have been held hostage for over a decade,” Yumkella lamented, pointing to the ongoing financial and operational challenges that have hindered the project’s completion.

He noted that completing Bumbuna 2 is now projected to cost $1.1 billion for just 150 megawatts of electricity, whereas alternative energy solutions could achieve the same output for less than $300 million.

Yumkella commended the government’s decision to pursue arbitration, urging it to resist further bad deals that could exacerbate the situation. He proposed upgrading the existing Bumbuna 1 facility to enhance its efficiency and sustainability, advocating for increased oversight and public engagement to avert future instances of mismanagement.