March 10, 2021
By: Mohamed Kargbo
Mr. Fofi S. Baimba, Acting Deputy Director General of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has told journalists that 40 of their sub-stations have been vandalized by unpatriotic Sierra Leoneans. He made this disclosure on the 4th March 2021, at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), 8th Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown.
“It is indeed saddened to report to you all here. We regret report on the ongoing activities around our properties. The authority note with concern of high increase of the electricity conductors of coper cable within the country. This year, 40 of our sub-station have been vandalized” said Mr. Fofi Baimba.
He pinpointed that as at the 3rth March, 2021 similar incident happened in the Hastings community.
“I am calling on the general public especially the stakeholders within the communities to take ownership of EDSA’s facilities” he appealed.
Mr. Baimba highlighted that, the authority has engaged the security sector-Office of Nation Security (ONS), Sierra Leone Police and the Military to ensure that this act is brought to an end and will bring perpetrators to the full force of the law.
He further that, this is an unpatriotic act of vandalism of electrical infrastructure and that has had negative effect on the viability of the authority slowing down the access rate and created problems in the smooth running and operations of the authority.
The Acting Director General said management has started this as an ongoing process in ensuring that we protect our facilities and substations.
“The rate at which this is happening is very serious and is posing financial ramification coupled with customers complaints and now call for an immediate action to take in order to bring this unlawful act to an end.” he said.
He encouraged the general public to report any suspected cases of illegal entry into EDSA’s facilities to a near-by police station or call their HOT LINE-672.
Mr. Baimba added “this asset does not necessarily belong to EDSA. It belongs to the people of Sierra Leone.”
He lamented that energy is part of the main engine for any economic development and stealing such properties will deprive host of communities.
“A lot of work and investment has been put into this. It is rather unfortunate that the act of very selected individuals is quite honestly depriving majority of the citizens into enduring electricity which forms the fabric of any economic development.” he emphasised.
According the head of police media, Assistant Superintendent Brima Kamara said, the Sierra Leone police will work with other security agencies to go after those involve and pursue to court.
The Acting Director General also said that, if you see something you definitely have to say something because you are equally culpable if you see vandalisation happening and you decide to stay mute.
Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) is the authority that is charged with the responsibility of distributing energy to the country.