By Kadiatu A Turay

The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has addressed the nation regarding the widespread power outages that have disrupted daily life in several districts across Sierra Leone. The outages, which began last week, have sparked public outcry as residents and businesses struggle to cope with the prolonged lack of electricity.

EDSA officials disclosed that the outages were caused by a combination of technical faults within the power grid. These include damaged transformers, a malfunction at the Bumbuna Hydropower Plant, and disruptions to transmission lines due to heavy rains and strong winds in parts of the country.

The outages have impacted urban centers like Freetown, Bo, Makeni, and Kenema, as well as rural communities. Small business owners, hospitals, and schools are among the hardest hit, with many forced to rely on costly generators or suspend operations altogether.

EDSA confirmed that repair works are underway at critical sites, including the Kingtom and Blackhall Road substations in Freetown. Teams have also been dispatched to address damaged power lines in remote areas to restore electricity to underserved communities.

In a press conference, EDSA Director-General Musa Kamara stated, “We aim to restore electricity in phases, starting with Freetown and other major towns by December 5, 2024. Full restoration in remote areas is expected by December 12, barring unforeseen complications.”

Kamara explained that the delays stem from the extent of the damage and the limited availability of critical replacement parts. The ongoing rainy season has also hindered the swift deployment of repair teams to affected areas.

EDSA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, has expedited the procurement of spare parts and reinforced its workforce to speed up the repairs. The government has also announced plans to invest in modernizing the power grid to prevent similar incidents in the future.

While EDSA’s commitment to resolving the issue has been welcomed, frustration remains high among citizens. “This is unacceptable. We’ve been without power for a week, and there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again,” lamented Freetown resident Aminata Conteh.

EDSA has urged the public to conserve electricity once power is restored and report any localized faults to ensure quicker resolution. The nation waits with bated breath as efforts to bring Sierra Leone back to light continue.