By Mohamed Konneh
A cloud of uncertainty now hangs over the Ministry of Energy as the ECOWAS-funded Solar Streetlight Contract payment faces a critical impasse, leaving the contractor with only half of his money despite completing the installation of 93 solar streetlights in Lungi.
The contractor, Mr. Sesay, who successfully installed the solar streetlights under the regional bloc’s funding scheme, has reportedly received only 50 percent of the total contract value, with the payment made in physical cash—a development that has raised significant red flags among financial observers and within the ministry itself.
Documents obtained by Freetown Daily Newspaper indicate that the ECOWAS budget rate stands at $800 per streetlight, bringing the total contract value to $74,400. The installation has been completed and verified, yet full payment remains outstanding, leaving the contractor in a precarious financial position.
According to sources within the Ministry of Energy, on Friday 7th August 2026, a staff member delivered a bag containing the Leone equivalent of $400 per streetlight, totalling $37,200, to the supplier. The transaction has sparked serious concern, as payments of such magnitude are conventionally processed through banking channels rather than cash disbursements.
The supplier, who was expecting the full $74,400, has since lodged a complaint regarding the incomplete payment. The remaining balance of $37,200 is yet to be accounted for or paid, fuelling growing apprehension within ministry circles.
Ministry sources have revealed that the Permanent Secretary had previously raised concerns that the ECOWAS cheque had not been retired to the ministry’s account. Mr. Alhassan Kondeh, the Permanent Secretary, stated that he was not notified of the payment arrangement, and neither the Procurement Officer nor the Accountant was involved in the supplier payments—a breach of standard financial protocols.
In a parallel development, the Anti-Corruption Commission summoned the Minister of Energy, Mr. Cyril Arnold Grant, for questioning on the same Friday in connection with the matter, signalling the gravity with which authorities are treating the irregular payment.
When contacted by Freetown Daily Newspaper, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alhassan Kondeh, declined to comment, noting that he has no knowledge of the allegation. The Minister, too, has refused to comment despite multiple attempts to reach him for clarification on the unfolding situation.
The case continues to raise questions about financial accountability and transparency in the management of donor-funded projects, as stakeholders await clarity on the fate of the outstanding $37,200 and the minister’s involvement in the matter.
See below request sent to the Minister:
Request for Comment – ACC Invitation and ECOWAS Solar Streetlight Payment
Good day, Hon. Minister, My name is Mohamed Konneh. I am the News Editor at Freetown Daily Newspaper and Station Manager at Star Radio.
We understand that you were invited by the Anti-Corruption Commission this afternoon. May we kindly ask the reason for the invitation?
We are also investigating the payment process for the ECOWAS Solar Street Lights project in Lungi. Our findings indicate that 93 streetlights were installed at a contract rate of $800 each, totaling $74,400.
However, we have information that physical cash equivalent to $37,200 was delivered to the contractor last Friday.
Can you confirm: If physical cash payments to contractors is now the approved procedure for government projects?
The status of the remaining payment to the contractor and why the Procurement and Accounts units were not involved?
We would appreciate your response for fairness and accuracy ahead of publication.
