In a significant move toward deepening inter-agency collaboration, Inspector Martin Egbenda, Acting Director of Infrastructure at the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead at the Ministry of Energy, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu.

The high-level engagement focused on mutual support and cooperation between the Ministry and the SLP, with a particular emphasis on energy access, infrastructure protection, and operational efficiency.

A central topic of discussion was the solarization of Police Barracks and offices nationwide. The SLP is undergoing a digital transformation to modernize its operations, revealed Insp. Egbenda, and uninterrupted power supply is vital for the success of this initiative.

With many police facilities currently reliant on the national electricity grid, often without paying utility bills, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has reportedly suffered significant revenue losses. In response, there are growing concerns and this new initiative will lead to EDSA disconnecting the SLP structures from the main grid. Dr. Yumkella and Inspector Egbenda explored how the Ministry of Energy could support the transition to solar energy across police facilities, an approach that would reduce costs, promote sustainability, and improve energy independence within the security sector.

In turn, the Sierra Leone Police offered to bolster the security of all solar plant sites and other key energy installations across the country. Proposals included deploying dedicated police posts at major EDSA facilities to safeguard infrastructure and ensure continuous operation.

The discussion also highlighted the formation of a joint security task force, comprising police and military personnel, to support EDSA’s inspection operations. This task force would carry out on-the-spot checks for illegal electricity connections, particularly targeting factories, hotels, and high-consumption residential buildings in Freetown and other major urban centers.

This evolving partnership between the SLP and the Ministry of Energy reflects a broader strategy of leveraging institutional cooperation to achieve national development goals. By aligning the priorities of energy and security sectors, both parties aim to address long-standing inefficiencies, improve infrastructure safety, and support Sierra Leone’s digital and green energy transition.

As the country prepares for long-term infrastructure modernization, this initiative stands out as a model for inter-agency synergy, ensuring that power flows securely, and security is powered reliably.