By: Thaimu T Kamara
A major boost to sustainable energy and party administration was announced in Freetown as Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella unveiled plans to construct and donate a 30-kilowatt Solar Photovoltaic (PV) power system with battery storage to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Headquarters.
The announcement was made at the party’s headquarters in the presence of the SLPP National Chairman, Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa, senior party executives, key stakeholders, and supporters, marking what many described as a timely intervention to address persistent electricity challenges at the party’s administrative center.
Dr. Yumkella disclosed that the solar project, which is expected to be completed within two weeks, will provide a stable 24-hour electricity supply, ensuring uninterrupted operations and significantly improving efficiency and productivity at the SLPP headquarters.
He explained that the initiative was inspired by concerns earlier raised by the SLPP National Secretary General, Hon. Paran Tarawally, who had highlighted the need for a reliable power supply to enhance the smooth and effective functioning of the party’s offices.
“Light is life, and without reliable electricity, no office can function effectively,” Dr. Yumkella stated. “On behalf of my family, I am donating this 30-kilowatt solar system with battery storage to support the smooth running of the SLPP headquarters.”
Dr. Yumkella further emphasized that his support for the SLPP is deeply rooted in family tradition, noting that his parents had long been committed members of the party and that supporting its growth and stability remains a personal and family responsibility.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the party, National Chairman Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa expressed profound appreciation to Dr. Yumkella, conveying gratitude from President Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as the National Leader of the SLPP, as well as from the party’s leadership and membership across the country.
Chairman Songa described the solar project as both timely and impactful, stressing that it would improve working conditions at the headquarters while boosting morale and enthusiasm among party officials and supporters.
“This generous gesture brings light, joy, and excitement to the SLPP,” Chairman Songa said. “We assure you that this facility will be properly managed and used strictly for its intended purpose.”
Also speaking at the event, Hon. Paran Tarawally welcomed the initiative as a practical solution to the long-standing problem of unstable electricity supply at the party’s headquarters. He commended Dr. Yumkella for what he described as a strategic and forward-looking contribution to the party’s institutional development.
Hon. Tarawally used the occasion to call on other party stakeholders and well-wishers to emulate the gesture, particularly as the SLPP intensifies preparations toward the 2028 general elections.
The solar PV project is widely viewed as a significant investment in clean, renewable, and sustainable energy, while also reflecting a broader commitment to **self-reliance.