By: Problyn Alpha
In a significant incident that has left many residents and businesses in Koidu City reeling, electrical and electronics equipment worth millions of Leones were reportedly damaged on Monday afternoon, 10th June 2024. Customers of the Electricity Distribution Service Authority (EDSA) have attributed the damage to a sudden high voltage surge, which they referred to as “bad light.” This surge, which occurred without prior notification, resulted in extensive damage to appliances and devices across the city.
Speaking to our correspondent, Sahr Charles Kaimachendeh, the deputy manager of A I Kallon Investment in Koidu City, expressed his frustration over the recurrent issue of voltage surges. He noted that this recent incident was particularly severe, causing damage to equipment valued at over one hundred and fifty thousand Leones, thereby halting their operations. “This is not the first time we have faced such problems with EDSA. However, the damage on Monday was catastrophic, affecting our ability to function as both family heads and breadwinners,” Kaimachendeh lamented.
Similarly, Mustapha Kamara, a mechanic on Tunner Street, shared his dismay over the high voltage surge that not only damaged equipment in his workshop but also the mobile phones brought to him for repair. Kamara accused EDSA of negligence, suggesting that the failure to inform customers about the high voltage surge was deliberate. “We were expecting the Authority’s public relations unit to alert us, but no information was provided,” Kamara stated.
Isata Kanu, a resident of Old Yengema Road, echoed these concerns, urging EDSA to establish a reliable communication channel to inform customers of any impending high voltage surges. “The implications of sending high voltage without notification are severe. It doesn’t just damage property; it can also lead to fires, posing a risk to lives,” Kanu emphasized.
Despite repeated attempts by our correspondent to contact the management of EDSA, efforts proved futile as most staff members refused to provide contact information for the resident engineer. The lack of response from EDSA’s management has further fueled the frustration and anger among the affected residents and businesses.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the reliability of the electrical supply in Koidu City and the need for EDSA to take more proactive measures in safeguarding the interests and safety of its customers. As the community continues to assess the full extent of the damage, there are growing calls for accountability and improved infrastructure to prevent such incidents from recurring.
This report highlights the urgent need for better communication and infrastructure maintenance by EDSA to protect the interests of Koidu City’s residents and businesses, ensuring that such costly and disruptive incidents are avoided in the future.
