By: Saidu Jalloh
The Deputy Minister of Energy I, Edmond Nonie, has dismissed claims that electricity supply was diverted from Makeni to Freetown, describing the allegation as “illogical” and misleading.
Speaking at the government’s weekly press conference organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education at the Miatta Conference Centre, Nonie clarified that Makeni generates only about 6 megawatts of electricity, while Freetown requires approximately 100 megawatts to meet its demand.
“It is not possible to divert electricity from Makeni to Freetown given the huge difference in supply and demand,” he stated, assuring citizens that the government would not deprive one region to serve another.
He further disclosed that maintenance work affecting electricity supply in Makeni and Magburaka had been completed, with power expected to be restored around the time of the briefing.
Providing a broader update on the national electricity situation, Nonie revealed that Kambia Town has recently been electrified, with approximately 275 homes now connected marking a significant improvement from having no prior access to electricity.
He outlined electricity distribution across major towns and districts, noting that Bo, Kenema, and Kono are each receiving about 15 megawatts of supply. Port Loko currently receives 1 megawatt, while Lunsar is supplied with approximately 1.25 megawatts. Moyamba is powered through a combination of a solar plant and generators, while Kailahun, Bonthe, and Pujehun depend largely on generator-based electricity.
Despite these gains, Nonie acknowledged that sustaining nationwide electricity supply remains costly, as government expenditure on fuel continues to exceed revenue generated from consumers.
Addressing the situation in Freetown, he attributed the recent drop in electricity supply to the dry season, which has significantly reduced output from the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam. According to him, the dam is currently producing only about 5 megawatts far below its full capacity thereby affecting power availability in the capital.
To improve service delivery, Nonie also announced the introduction of a new electricity complaints chatbot, developed in collaboration with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation. The platform is expected to enable the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority to manage multiple customer complaints simultaneously and respond more efficiently.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to electricity and improving service delivery across the country despite ongoing operational and financial challenges.