The Independent (Freetown)
29 September 2008
The Anti-Corruption Commission in Sierra Leone is investigating the minister of energy and power Haja Hafasatu Bayoh for what it says is an improper award of contract to a company for the supply of electricity to the capital Freetown.
The contract was awarded immediately after the All People's Congress of President Ernest Bai Korma won the 2007 elections. For years, the city had been in blackout and the haste in providing the long needed electricity supply caused the minister to go outside the stipulated legal terms of awarding contracts.
Also, the Commission notes that the company, which is owned by a Lebanese businessman, imposes terms on government which causes a loss of a huge chunk of tax payers' money.
Currently, the National Power Authority, the electricity corporation of the country, owes the Independent power provider not less than seven million dollars, which government officials say is not available.
The Commissions says the contract should have been awarded through the National Procurement Agency and that it should have gone through a competitive bidding.
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