By Josephine Sesay

A spate of fire accidents tied to unreliable electricity has thrust the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) into the spotlight, sparking widespread concern about its operations, as power outages, electrical faults, and incidents resulting in property damage and loss of life escalate, many Sierra Leoneans are questioning whether EDSA is delivering more harm than benefit.

The situation has grown increasingly dire. Faulty electrical systems have inflicted devastating consequences, some citizens have tragically lost their lives in preventable incidents, while others have watched helplessly as power surges and defective wiring ravaged their homes and businesses, the crisis reveals a stark imbalance only 30% of EDSA’s service proves reliable, while 70% leads to accidents, destruction, and distress, what was once a mere inconvenience has morphed into a pervasive, life-threatening hazard.

The anguish among affected communities is palpable, residents are reeling from the toll of these incidents, their frustration boiling over as fire outbreaks linked to EDSA’s shortcomings continue to plague various regions, there needs to be a drastic change, said one exasperated resident, people’s lives are at risk, and their properties are being destroyed because of unreliable service, it’s clear the current system is broken, and something must be done now.

Public outcry is mounting, with citizens demanding accountability from EDSA and urging government intervention, they seek a reformed institution that prioritizes both dependable electricity and the safety of those it serves, the growing chorus of voices insists that EDSA’s failures can no longer be ignored, action is overdue.

Until meaningful reforms are enacted, countless Sierra Leoneans remain at the mercy of a vital public service that, for now, appears to falter more than it fulfills, the question lingers: can EDSA rise to meet the needs of the people, or will its shortcomings continue to exact a heavy toll?