By: James Kamara-Manneh
In the intervening weeks, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) tariffs will increase its tariff; as per procedure, the Authority has consulted with the Energy and Water Regulation Commission for the increment to take effect.
At a public hearing organized by EDSA on the 9th June 2022, it has been confirmed that within two weeks there would be an increment from 14 US Cents to 22 US Cents.
The increment has been justified based on the fact they are running at a loss with the justification that EDSA are buying twenty-two cent from the Karpowership and selling at eleven cent to customers.
Another factor should not be unconnected to the cumulative increase in the price of fuel commodities of which EDSA heavily relies on for its operations.
If left at its current state the, situation could be described as bad business on the side of the government.
Another truth is the depreciation of the Leones by 35% against the Dollar which is another major factor responsible for EDSA to ask Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) for little increment in order for the supply of electricity to be reliable and sustainable.
It is no gainsaying that EDSA have been going through a lot of technical and commercial loses since the announcement of the shutting down of Bumbuna for routine maintenance.
It should be further noted that Sierra Leone has one of the cheapest electricity in the sub-region.
Therefore, it has been reassuring that within the shortest possible time, consumers will start enjoying full fledge electricity.
Glaringly, with the current tariff at 14 cents it will be difficult for EDSA to break through and provide sustainable electricity which has necessitated the minimum increase to 22 US cents.
Within the grand scheme of things and prevailing uncontrollable circumstances, the public should exercise patience given that EDSA is applying load-shedding to ensure more customers enjoy light.
Many people are oblivious of the fact that quality supply of electricity aligns with cost, and EDSA doesn’t impose tax at random given that the last time there was an increment was in December 2019.
It could be recalled the government of Sierra Leone set up the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission through an Act of Parliament with the mandate of decreasing and increasing energy tariffs.
The Commission was established to formulate, implement, and monitor quality and compliance. Provide tariff guidelines, licenses and implement regulatory frameworks for the safe, secure, affordable and reliable supply of water and electricity in Sierra Leone.
On the other hand, residents of Freetown have expressed the need for reliable and sustainable electricity.
They are calling on the government to expedite the Bumbuna Hydro project so that electricity distribution and supply will increase for the benefit of customers.
Residents are calling on EDSA to extend their power supply to them to enhance socio economic activities. In recent times, businesses and homes have been experiencing intermittent supply of electricity.
In fact, some communities in Wester Area have gone without electricity for a very long time. EDSA should therefore intensify efforts to provide sustainable electricity because without electricity socio economic development would hardly be realized.
