Sierra Leone electricity crisis – EDSA Director’s mismanagement exposed – Africa Links 24

Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abdul Rashid Thomas
Published on 2024-04-02 09:53:25

The recent government press conference on March 26th, 2024, in Sierra Leone brought to light the shocking mismanagement and lack of transparency plaguing the country’s Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). Joe-Lahai Sormana, the Director General of EDSA, faced intense scrutiny as he revealed the dire financial situation facing the utility company. Sormana admitted that EDSA was selling electricity at a lower rate than what it cost to purchase from suppliers like Karpowership, leading to significant financial losses for the company.

This revelation painted a grim picture of EDSA’s financial state under Sormana’s leadership, with stakeholders and citizens alike left stunned by the incompetence displayed by the Director General. The flawed pricing model and lack of adequate network capacity have pushed EDSA to the brink of collapse, leaving citizens without access to essential electricity services. Sormana’s failure to address rampant electricity theft further contributed to the utility company’s financial woes, with the Director General acknowledging the prevalence of illicit practices within EDSA.

Calls for Sormana’s removal have grown louder as citizens demand accountability and decisive action to rectify the injustices perpetuated under his tenure. The revelation of EDSA’s financial mismanagement has sparked outrage across the nation, with many viewing Sormana’s leadership as a betrayal of the trust placed in him to safeguard the welfare of Sierra Leoneans. Urgent measures are needed to address the deep-rooted issues within EDSA and ensure that the fundamental right to electricity is upheld for all citizens.

The shocking disclosures made by Sormana during the press conference have shed light on the dire situation facing Sierra Leone’s electricity sector. The Director General’s admission of financial mismanagement and inability to meet the country’s electricity demands has left citizens reeling and stakeholders concerned about the future of EDSA. The revelation of widespread electricity theft and corruption within the utility company has only added to the urgency of the situation, prompting calls for swift and decisive action to restore transparency and accountability within EDSA.

The image of school children demanding access to electricity and food serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of EDSA’s mismanagement on the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. The Director General’s failure to address these pressing issues has underscored the urgent need for change within the utility company. It is clear that without immediate intervention, EDSA’s financial woes will continue to deepen, leaving citizens in the dark and underscoring the importance of sound financial management and transparent leadership within Sierra Leone’s electricity sector.

Read the original article on Sierra Leone Telegraph