Energy Ministers Snub MPs

By Lemuella Tarawallie

Members of Parliament have called for presidential intervention after the Minister of Energy and his two deputiesfailed to attend a scheduled parliamentary oversight meeting, forcing MPs to suspend proceedings and raising fresh concerns over executive accountability in Sierra Leone’s struggling energy sector.

The engagement, organised by Parliament’s Oversight Committee on Energy, was intended to examine critical national issues including electricity theft, unreliable power supply, energy expansion, revenue losses and policy reforms. However, the absence of the ministry’s political leadership dominated proceedings, with MPs describing the no show as unacceptable and disrespectful to Parliament’s oversight mandate.

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Energy, Hon. Momoh Bockarie, said meaningful discussions could not proceed without the attendance of those responsible for directing national energy policy.

“It is rather unfortunate that we could not have the full compliance of the minister and his deputies. There is no way legislators and members of the public can discuss these critical national issues without those responsible for shaping policy and supervising the institutions within the energy sector,” Hon. Bockarie stated.

He announced the postponement of the meeting, apologizing to officials from the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority, the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company, development partners, civil society organizations and members of the media who had honoured Parliament’s invitation.

“We cannot continue operating in this manner. Parliament exists to complement government institutions and ensure better service delivery. Our constituents expect us to demand answers on issues affecting their daily lives,” he said.

Hon. Bockarie noted that MPs were frequently confronted by citizens over prolonged blackouts, faulty transformers, inadequate electricity access and widespread electricity theft.

Representing the leadership of Parliament, the Chief Whip Hon. Dixon Rogers, expressed disappointment over the absence of the minister and both deputy ministers, insisting that the ministry had failed to respect Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.

Questioning ministry officials present at the meeting, Hon. Rogers dismissed explanations that the minister had requested a change of date because of another official engagement.”If the minister could not attend, one of the deputy ministers should have been here. Parliament cannot be treated this way,” he stated.

The Chief Whip directed the committee to prepare a strongly worded letter to President Julius Maada Bio, through the Secretary to the President, drawing attention to what members described as the conduct of the ministry’s political leadership.

“This meeting was convened to address issues of national importance, particularly electricity theft. Parliament deserves the respect of every public official,” Hon. Rogers declared.He further warned that Parliament could invoke its constitutional powers should ministries continue to ignore official invitations.

Former Chairman of the Energy Committee, Hon. Kekura Vandy, described the incident as unprecedented, saying he never experienced such treatment during his tenure.”I never faced this kind of embarrassment. Whenever we invited the ministry, the minister, deputy ministers or permanent secretary always attended. There was constant engagement because they respected Parliament’s oversight responsibility,” Hon. Vandy recalled.

He urged the committee to adopt stronger measures to ensure future compliance, warning that repeated disregard for parliamentary invitations could undermine effective oversight.

The chairman formally adjourned the session, stating that the committee would announce a new date after further engagement with the Ministry of Energy.

Speaking to journalists immediately after the suspended hearing, Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Energy, Hon. Momoh Bockarie, described the ministers’ absence as “disappointing”, saying Parliament had expected a frank discussion on the country’s energy challenges, including electricity theft and power sector reforms.

Hon. Bockarie noted that while technical officials from the sector were present, the absence of the ministry’s political leadership undermined the purpose of the engagement. He added that Parliament’s decision to write President Julius Maada Bio received the full backing of MPs.

“The failure of ministers to respond to parliamentary invitations is becoming an uncomfortable norm, and that is unacceptable. Parliament and the Executive should be partners in development to improve service delivery for the people,” he noted.