By: Abdul Razack Gbla
Residents of Freetown continue to grapple with severe electricity shortages as the SLPP government struggles to provide a stable and efficient power supply. The ongoing crisis has disrupted daily life, business operations, and essential services across the city, worsening economic hardships for many.
Several neighborhoods have experienced prolonged blackouts, with some areas going days without electricity. This has crippled businesses that rely on power, such as welders, barbers, and cold storage vendors, forcing them to depend on expensive alternative sources like generators. The lack of reliable electricity has also affected students, hospitals, and families, making daily life increasingly difficult.
“I sell frozen fish, and without electricity, I am losing money every day,” said a frustrated trader at a local market. “I have to buy fuel for my generator, which is too costly, and I am running at a loss.”
Despite repeated government assurances that efforts are underway to improve electricity generation and distribution, the situation remains dire. The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has attributed the crisis to multiple factors, but critics argue that poor planning and lack of investment in the energy sector have worsened the problem.
In response to public outcry, the government has highlighted ongoing projects such as the expansion of the CLSG (Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone-Guinea) interconnection project, which is expected to enhance cross-border electricity trade and boost supply in Sierra Leone.
“We understand the frustration of citizens and are working tirelessly to address these power challenges. Long-term plans are in place to ensure Sierra Leone benefits from a stable and efficient energy sector,” is what government always promises
However, many Freetown residents remain skeptical, as irregular power supply continues to increase living costs, with families and businesses forced to rely on expensive alternative energy sources.
With the crisis persisting, pressure is mounting on the SLPP government to accelerate long-term investments in the energy sector. As citizens bear the brunt of the electricity shortages, they hope for swift and effective solutions to a crisis that has significantly disrupted their livelihoods and daily activities.
