- The plan aims to transform life in disadvantaged communities of Sierra Leone.
- Their idea is to remove all this waste and transform it into electricity.
An ambitious plan to rid the city of Freetown of thousands of tonnes of waste and rejuvenate acres of land is underway, offering at least some hope for a generation of children. Infinitum Energy, a developer of global power projects, has tabled a bid to create a waste-to-energy power plant which aims to add 30 megawatts to the capital of Sierra Leone’s energy supply and sell electricity generated by refuse back to the government.
A general election is due in June, but those behind the plans are confident they will not be derailed by the results of the vote to elect a new president and parliament. “Our idea is to remove all this waste and transform it into electricity,” said Dr Yassin Kargbo, Sierra Leone country director for Infinitum Energy.
“The project is two years old, and we have had to stage an agreement to engage with the government to sell energy. Dr Kargbo said the plans could advance once the new government approves them in July or August. “When it starts, we will buy waste from these people living here and give them something in return,” he said. Children as young as five, who collect shards of plastic and metal to pay for an education, represent a community of more than 2,000 people who call the Kolleh Townsite home. Education is free up to the age of 18 in Sierra Leone by law, but out in the provinces and away from supervision, teachers often still demand payment, typically up to $3 per term.