The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has strongly condemned the country’s unstable electricity supply, citing its devastating consequences, including fire outbreaks, damaged appliances, and loss of lives and property.

Hon. Kargbo recently fell victim to this crisis when his home was destroyed in a fire caused by erratic power supply. In a statement, he recalled how, just a week before the incident, his nephew’s phone exploded while charging—a warning sign of the dangers posed by unstable electricity.

“Unstable power supply, particularly instances of overvoltage, can cause severe electrical fires,” he stated. “Many households have lost their homes, belongings, and, in some cases, their loved ones due to these power surges. Electrical appliances are not designed to handle extreme voltage fluctuations, and when such surges occur, they can overheat, catch fire, or even explode, leading to catastrophic consequences.”

Hon. Kargbo stressed that his experience is not an isolated case. Across Sierra Leone, urban and rural communities face constant fear of electrical faults. The main causes, he argued, are poor infrastructure, lack of investment in power distribution networks, and outdated transformers that fail to regulate voltage properly.

“Many of these transformers are decades old, struggling to keep up with modern electricity demands,” he explained. “Instead of receiving steady, controlled power, homes are subjected to erratic voltage spikes that destroy appliances and cause electrical fires.”

Despite the deteriorating state of the electricity sector, Hon. Kargbo highlighted that consumers are paying exorbitant tariffs. Since 2018, electricity rates have increased by over 300%, yet power outages, voltage fluctuations, and prolonged load shedding persist.

He further criticized the government for reducing the cost of electricity supplied by Karpowership, a floating power plant provider, while still increasing tariffs for ordinary citizens.

“If the cost of acquiring electricity from Karpowership has been reduced, why are consumers paying more? Where is the additional revenue going?” he questioned, raising concerns about financial mismanagement within the energy sector.

Describing the electricity crisis as both an economic issue and a matter of public safety, Hon. Kargbo called for urgent government action. He outlined key measures to address the problem:

1. Upgrading Power Infrastructure: Immediate replacement of outdated transformers, power lines, and distribution centers to prevent voltage fluctuations and fire risks.

2. Regulating Voltage Supply: Installation of automatic voltage regulators to ensure stable electricity for homes and businesses.

3. Holding EDSA Accountable: Enforcing strict penalties on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) for failure to provide safe and stable electricity, including compensation for consumers affected by power surges.

4. Transparent Tariff Policies: Ensuring public accountability on electricity tariffs and proper utilization of consumer payments.

5. Investing in Alternative Energy: Expanding renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to provide more reliable and environmentally friendly electricity.

Hon. Kargbo concluded by emphasizing that electricity should not be a threat to life and property.

“It is unacceptable that, despite paying higher tariffs, citizens still face such dangers. If immediate action is not taken, more lives will be lost, more homes will be destroyed, and trust in the electricity sector will continue to erode,” he warned.

He urged the government and EDSA to prioritize public safety and provide the stable, reliable electricity that Sierra Leoneans deserve.