A group of concerned citizens in Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, known as the Concerned Bullomites, has issued a strongly worded open letter to President Julius Maada Bio, calling for immediate intervention in what they describe as the “hijacking” and stalling of the long-awaited 65MWP Battery-Backed Solar Power Project by a local partner accused of financial misconduct.
The solar project, approved by both Cabinet and Parliament and awarded to the Lungi Power Development Company (LPD), was intended to address the chronic electricity shortages in Lungi and surrounding areas. Initially welcomed with great optimism, the project has failed to take off more than a year after government approval—triggering frustration and suspicions of internal sabotage.
Allegations of Misappropriation and Sabotage
According to the letter, a stakeholder investigation revealed that Mr. Hassana Conteh, a Guinean national and local partner of the multinational LPD, allegedly misappropriated funds sent by the company’s international shareholders. These funds, intended for landowner compensation and community benefit schemes—including annual disbursements of approximately $40,000 during festive periods—reportedly never reached the intended recipients.
The stakeholders also claim that Mr. Conteh illegally hired local workers without formal contracts or salaries, and failed to provide appointment letters, in violation of labor standards.
Audit Findings Ignored
In response to mounting concerns, stakeholders commissioned an independent audit of LPD’s local operations. While the audit findings were reportedly submitted to Kaffu Bullom authorities, Mr. Conteh allegedly refused to attend a stakeholder meeting to receive and respond to the report. This refusal further deepened suspicions and led the stakeholders to escalate the matter to the Parliamentary Committee on Energy.
In a recent engagement, the Committee Chairman reaffirmed that LPD is a multinational venture, not controlled by any single individual, and pledged to summon all shareholders and stakeholders for urgent discussions.
“No One Is Above the Law”
The letter accuses Mr. Conteh of acting as if he is “above Sierra Leonean law” and impeding national development in collusion with unnamed Kaffu Bullom insiders. The Concerned Bullomites warn that if immediate action is not taken, they will begin naming and shaming those allegedly involved in sabotaging the project.
They further assert that Mr. Conteh lacks the financial capacity to deliver the project and argue that, if removed, the other two international shareholders—Mr. Ricardo and Mr. Sultan, based in Europe—could mobilize the required funds within one month to commence operations.
A Call for Presidential Action
The letter concludes with a passionate appeal to President Bio to personally intervene in what is being described as a matter of urgent public interest and local development. It also extends gratitude to supportive stakeholders, including the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament Bai Shebora Sheba Gberreh III, MPs, civil society organizations, and the Resident Minister of the North-West Region.
“The people of Kaffu Bullom believed this project would bring lasting change,” the letter reads. “It is disheartening to watch it hijacked by personal greed. We trust Your Excellency will act in the interest of justice and development.”
The Lungi solar project, if implemented, could become one of Sierra Leone’s largest renewable energy initiatives—a lifeline for the growing coastal community of Kaffu Bullom.
By Sonny Jimmy Johnson
