By: Problyn J Alpha
Residents of Koidu City in Kono District have expressed dismay over the unstable electricity supply provided by the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority ( EDSA) over the weekend.
They noted that the power shortage within the municipality of Koidu has grossly disturbed their businesses and damaged electronic equipment worth thousands of Leones.
Speaking to our correspondent, Kadiatu Thollie, a resident of Koakoyima, explained that her ice cream and other items prepared for sale have been destroyed due to the continuous rationing and unstable supply of electricity. The ice cream and other items she sells on a daily basis are her only means of survival as a single parent with four children.
“I have lost my husband a few years ago, and the little profit l realize from the sales is what l normally use to take care of my children and myself. The money I am using to do business is a loan from one of the financial institutions in Koidu City, and the said institution is now behind me for the loan payment. What am l going to do now to refund the money in this difficult economic crisis,” she expressed.
Expressing similar disappointment over the operations of EDSA in Kono District, Hassan Marrah of Tripoli in Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District, stated that since the 11KVA panel burned at the EGTC office in Kono District, there has been nothing good to write home about the electricity supply in Koidu City.
He maintained that the recent rationing and unstable supply of electricity has become the order of the day by the Authority, which he said has seriously affected the activities of many who depend entirely on electricity to run their businesses.
Marrah further called on the government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Energy and Power to quickly but carefully expedite plans to replace the burnt 11KVA panel at the power house to restore uninterrupted electricity supply in the municipality of Koidu.
The Electricity Distribution And Supply Authority Kono station has issued a public notice dated 16th October 2024 apologizing for the ongoing load shading or rationing in Koidu City. Meanwhile, part of the public notice from the communications office of EDSA in Kono District reads, “We would like to express our sincere apologies for the ongoing load shading or electricity rationing in the municipality of Koidu.
We are aware of the inconvenience this may have caused and want to assure you that we are taking all necessary steps to resolve the issue. The burnt EGTC 11KVA panel at the New Power House is in the Benguima Community. Rest assured that we are making frantic efforts to expedite the repairing process and have the EGTC burnt 11KVA panel up and running twenty-four hours with no load shading or rationing as soon as possible.”
Additionally, the press notice however notified that until the issue is fully resolved, EDSA continue to ask for their understanding and cooperation as the rationing continues during peak hours from 7:pm to 11:pm daily for different substations in Koidu City.
The Authority, however, encouraged everyone to exercise patience as they are seriously working to ensure the said challenge is addressed once and for all.
