By: Abu H. Kargbo
The Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) have pledged to ensure a more stable electricity supply to residents of Makeni following concerns raised by local stakeholders.
The commitment was made during a stakeholder engagement held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the Makeni Power Station. Participants included civil society activists, traders, bike riders, drivers, and journalists, who sought clarification on the recent power outages affecting the city.
During a telephone interview, the Director General of EGTC, Ing. Milton Ngegbai, acknowledged the outages but explained that they are largely due to seasonal factors, particularly reduced water levels at the dam used for power generation.
Sulaiman Sengu Koroma, Public Relations Officer for EDSA’s Northern Region, revealed that a high-level management meeting had been held in Magburaka to address the power supply challenges affecting the region.
He also encouraged residents to cooperate with the electricity providers to ensure more efficient operations.
Both EGTC and EDSA management dismissed rumors suggesting that electricity generation had been reduced from 6 megawatts to 1.9 megawatts, describing such claims as misinformation.
Peter Conteh, Chairman of the Bombali District Human Rights Committee, stated that the purpose of the engagement was to obtain accurate, first-hand information about the outages and to counter widespread misinformation.
“We want to provide our people with reliable updates and prevent the spread of false information,” he said.
Conteh added that the dialogue was also aimed at avoiding a repeat of the 2020 Makeni generator incident, where poor communication led to unrest and loss of lives.
He emphasized that electricity is a basic social service and a fundamental human necessity.
Conteh commended the professionalism demonstrated by both EGTC and EDSA management. He noted that all parties agreed to host joint radio discussions to keep the public informed and to maintain transparency in communication.
The engagement highlighted the importance of dialogue in addressing critical community concerns and resolving issues peacefully without resorting to violence.