The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has urged Parliament to strengthen transparency, accountability, and oversight in the approval and implementation of major energy projects, warning that investment agreements must be subjected to thorough scrutiny to protect the country’s long-term interests.

Speaking during Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the proposed amendments to the Bekongor Hydroelectric Power Project agreements, Hon. Kargbo questioned the need to amend agreements that were ratified only in 2023 without first evaluating their level of implementation.

He called on Members of Parliament to carefully examine why the original agreements had not been fully executed before considering the proposed changes. He also sought clarification on the reasons behind the proposed increase in the project’s electricity generation capacity from 120 megawatts to 150 megawatts, the financial implications of the amendments, and the decision to change the name of the project developer.

The Opposition Leader further expressed concern that Parliament had not been provided with the original agreements alongside the proposed amendments, arguing that the omission, including the removal of certain provisions such as those relating to dispute resolution, limited lawmakers’ ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the changes being proposed.

Hon. Kargbo cautioned against sacrificing parliamentary scrutiny in the pursuit of investment, stressing that Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to ensure that long-term agreements safeguard Sierra Leone’s national interest and deliver value for its citizens.

He also urged the Parliamentary Committee on Energy to strengthen its oversight by regularly monitoring ongoing energy projects, engaging developers, and reviewing agreements that fail to meet agreed milestones. In addition, he called for stricter monitoring of tax and customs duty waivers granted to investors, proposing that beneficiary companies be required to submit detailed Bills of Quantities (BOQs) to ensure such incentives are used for their intended purposes.

Hon. Kargbo emphasised that his intervention was not intended to discourage investment but to promote responsible governance, protect public resources, and ensure that energy projects deliver sustainable economic and social benefits for Sierra Leone.