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“Bumbuna – Largest dam in the world opens” Italian engineer reveals

Author: Johnny Paul - SEM

“Sierra Leone owns the largest hydro dam in the world,” so stated Dr. Capitanho, Chief Engineer of Salini Construttori, the international construction company that constructed the Bumbuna Hydro Electric dam.Â The international engineer made this revealing statement while delivering his address during the final commissioning of the hydro electric dam.

According to Dr. Capitanho, Sierra Leoneans should be proud for having the biggest hydro, a long awaited success project which he said has become a reality.

“The first phase of the project which is now producing 50 mega watts has already been completed and the second phase will soon start,” he said.

With this new power surge, the hydro electric dam will now generate a total power supply of 160 mega watts which will not only be utilized in Sierra Leone but other countries in the Sub-Region. “

The long awaited Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project was on Friday November 6^th 2009 finally commissioned at the Bumbuna Site, Kalansogoya Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, by President Koroma bringing a long work started by Siaka Stevens, the first All People’s Congress leader to completion.

Chairman for the occasion and Minister of Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo in his opening remarks, proclaimed confidently that the event has placed Sierra Leone in the forefront of global development, and said it is the outcome of the All People’s Congress government drive to fulfill their promises.

“The APC government has at last accomplished the dreams of all Sierra Leoneans which is a fulfillment of President Koroma’s promise to make the Bumbuna Hydroelectric his priority in his first half term of leadership in the Republic.”

Host Paramount Chief, P.C Alimamy Bockary Yalan (III) said that the success of the Bumbuna project in his chiefdom has brought his chiefdom instant fame as well as development. Paramount Chief Yalan called on investors nationally and internationally to invest in his chiefdom as he said there are many more natural resources besides water.

The chief however mentioned the negative aspects ofÂ the Bumbuna hydro project on his chiefdom. “Despite the mentioned advantages of the Bumbuna Hydroelectricity in the country, the flow of water from the Dam has contributed to the destruction of several local farmers’ produce here,” he said and appealed passionately for government support and other agencies in aiding his community.

In his statement, the Director of the African Development Bank, Mr. Franck Perrault, said it was delighted to join the people of Sierra Leone in the inauguration ceremony of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project. He added that his presence and his entire field staff was a vivid demonstration of the deep interest the African Development Bank continues to manifest in the development of Sierra Leone.

Mr. Perrault maintained that ADB could not afford to miss the happy ending of the long journey that he said has brought them to Bumbuna.

Highlighting the reason for the involvement of ADB on the Bumbuna Project, he said they are aware that Sierra Leone has been suffering from a shortfall in electricity due to the poor conditions of the existing thermal plants and inadequate foreign exchange provision for their maintenance and oil imports needed to run machines.”The Bank’s commitment has been strong in accompanying your country over the long years it took for this project to come to fruition, and today we are all delighted to witness the commissioning of perhaps the most important development project for Sierra Leone”. Mr. Franck Perrault said. According to Mr. Perrault, the Â ADB made every possible effort to push through the completion of the project as he said, they contributed 103 million USD out of the estimated total sum of 327 million USD spent.

Mr. Franck Perrault cautioned the government saying it is expected of them as Bumbuna is been commissioned, to maintain an efficient supply of reliable, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable electricity. “This will be increased for industrial, commercial and domestic use in the areas it will serve so that businesses which cannot afford standby generators will be created and provide employment for the jobless.”

“Sustainable electricity will stimulate job creation, transfer technology and skills, boost export performance, broaden the tax base and make available finances to boost economic growth and poverty reduction,.”

Giving his key note address, the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma first proclaimed loudly: “BUMBUNA LIGHT DON BI MA.”

The president announced that the completion of the three decade long awaited Bumbuna Hydroelectricity Project became a reality because ofÂ his decision to make electricity his priority. President Koroma called on Sierra Leoneans who, he said, have lost faith and confidence on past leaders due to their unfulfilled promises to rebuild their faith, and repeated his earlier commitment that he is always ready to make sure that all his promises are fulfilled in their set time.

The head of state revealed that to ensure the timely completion of the project, he said within two years in office, he single handedly visited the Bumbuna Site more than all past president put together, added that his aspiration for the agenda for change will be maximized by ensuring that all of his promises are brought to reality.

The president revealed that the people of Â Makeni, Magburaka, Bumbuna and Lunsar Â will soon enjoy the Bumbuna light asÂ work is already in progress.

Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma further revealed that the second phase of the Bumbuna Hydro Project will soon commence and will be completed within a period of six years. To satisfy the whole country with light President Koroma disclosed that they have completed research on possible prospects for mini hydro at district levels raging between two to ten Mega Watts which according the president will soon start.

His Excellency extended thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to the Bumbuna Project, including all past presidents,. He also congratulated Vice President Alhaji Sam-Sumana, and his former and present ministers of Energy and Power. Â He also commended the Italian government, the African Development Bank, World Bank and DFID for their diverse support in making his dream a reality. President Koroma concluded his speech by expressing thanks and appreciation to the people of Sierra Leone for their patience. “The completion of the project is a testament to the development of the country”, President Ernest Bai Koroma said.

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2 Comments on "“Bumbuna – Largest dam in the world opens” Italian engineer reveals"

Arthur on Tue, 10th Nov 2009 9:15 am

There are about 44 hydro dams that produces 2,000 MW of electricity or more. In as much as we should be proud and happy that Bumbuna is finally fruitful, 50 MW of electricity production can not be seen as the largest hydro dam in the world. We need to do more and I think we are on the right path.

Raymond Bangura on Sun, 15th Nov 2009 11:14 am

Hi There,
Your article titled â€œBumbuna â€“ Largest dam in the world opensâ€ Italian engineer reveals’ is not only misleading but equally fallacious. I have just done a research on the topic of world largest dams and found that Bumbuna is not even listed.
It will be appreciated if you could please retract that article and give the right information. I am not oblivious of the fact that you quoted this enthusiastic engineer whom I believe did not do his research well. He could not be taken on face value but as journalist whose role is to inform, needs to cross check your facts before printing them. A place to check these facts is to google the topic and see the results yourself. If you still have problems with that, email me and I will give you the source.
I, as a Sierra leonean, am equally thrilled with the news of the commisioning. I always believe that Bumbuna is blessing we trampled under our feet for a very long time. Now that its here, I believe we are on the path to join development, if only we put our resources into good use.
Thank you,
Raymond Bangura
Sydney, Australia