By: Aminata Sesay
In a heated session at Committee Room No. 1 in Parliament on Tuesday 15th April 2025, Members of the Parliamentary Energy Committee called for greater community engagement and public ownership of electricity infrastructure. This comes as the country continues to face widespread cable theft and vandalism, which have significantly hindered the provision of reliable electricity.
The meeting, chaired by Hon. Kekura Vandi, Chairman of the Energy Committee, included representatives from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). The purpose of the session was to address concerns over the partial privatization of EDSA and the alarming frequency of infrastructure theft.
While EDSA clarified that the government is not fully privatizing the utility, officials confirmed that only the commercial and IT branches of EDSA will be outsourced to private entities. “These areas have been difficult for us to manage internally. Privatizing them will help raise revenue and improve efficiency,” an EDSA official explained. “The government remains the head of EDSA and will ensure the public is protected throughout the process.”
However, MPs focused less on privatization and more on the ongoing issue of cable theft and the public’s apathy towards electricity infrastructure.
“We’ve been talking about electricity bills, but what about those who are destroying our infrastructure by stealing cables?” one MP asked. “This theft has been going on for four or five years, yet it feels like nothing significant is being done.”
Referencing Section 13(c) of the Constitution, which outlines the duty of every citizen to protect and preserve public property, the lawmaker stated, “Electricity is public property. The public benefits the most from it. So why are communities not taking ownership of it?”
He expressed concern that many citizens view electricity cables and equipment as government or EDSA property rather than something they personally own and should protect. The lawmaker proposed that EDSA invest in community sensitization campaigns to educate people about the importance of safeguarding electricity infrastructure.
“If we’re losing billions to maintain electricity, why can’t we spend a little to inform people that these cables belong to them, not to EDSA?” he argued.
In response, EDSA officials acknowledged the growing challenge and outlined steps being taken, including working with traditional leaders in various districts. “We’ve been engaging with chiefs to help raise awareness. People who steal cables not only harm the system but also risk electrocution,” an EDSA spokesperson said.
The utility also revealed plans to propose the creation of a special court to handle electricity-related crimes. The goal is to ensure faster legal processes and impose penalties that are proportionate to the severity of each offense. “We can’t keep applying the same punishment for someone who steals a small roll of cable and another who causes extensive damage,” the official added.
Further discussions also called for summoning the contractor responsible for cable installations in Kamakwie and Kamado. Reports indicate that 90% of the cables installed in these areas are now lying on the ground, leaving the infrastructure vulnerable to further theft and damage.
As the country struggles to stabilize its power supply, lawmakers emphasized that the solution must go beyond infrastructure and enforcement — it should start with changing the public’s mindset. “Until people realize that this electricity belongs to them, not just the government, we’ll keep fighting the same battle,” one MP warned.