By: Aminata Sesay
A tense session of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Sierra Leone’s Parliament has exposed deep-rooted governance failures and financial mismanagement within the country’s energy sector, highlighting a growing rift between the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
The session revealed a serious power imbalance and a lack of financial transparency, as EGTC accused EDSA of withholding over NLe 589 million in unpaid electricity bills and assuming total control over EGTC’s revenue streams leaving the generation company effectively powerless.
At the center of the dispute is a central revenue collection account, into which all electricity sales revenue is deposited. According to EGTC, although it is responsible for generating power, it has no access to this account, which is solely managed by EDSA. This, officials said, has deprived EGTC of the ability to monitor, plan, or manage its own finances.
“This structure has effectively made EGTC a subordinate department within EDSA, not a separate and independent entity,” an EGTC representative told the Committee. “We are unable to plan, budget, or pay our suppliers directly. That represents a serious accountability gap.”
EGTC further explained that the current system has forced the institution into a debt cycle, making it reliant on inconsistent and insufficient disbursements from EDSA to sustain its operations.
In an effort to reclaim its autonomy, EGTC has initiated steps to renegotiate its institutional relationship with EDSA through the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). The company is proposing a “No Power Purchase Agreement” that, if approved, would allow it to invoice directly for power supplied, manage its own revenue, and take full control of its expenditures.
“This is not just about money,” the EGTC official emphasized. “It’s about restoring accountability, ensuring operational clarity, and ultimately delivering better service to the public.”
PAC members expressed serious concern about the allegations. Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma cautioned against drawing premature conclusions and recommended a joint hearing involving both EGTC and EDSA to thoroughly examine the issues. The Deputy Chairman of PAC, who chaired the session, assured EGTC that a follow-up hearing would be scheduled, giving both entities the opportunity to respond.
The hearing highlighted deeper structural issues within Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure, including blurred institutional boundaries, overlapping mandates, and a lack of fiscal autonomy all of which continue to stall much-needed reforms.
As PAC prepares for the next phase of its investigation, the EGTC-EDSA conflict has become emblematic of the urgent need for transparent governance, clearly defined roles, and sustainable reform in the country’s electricity sector—key to addressing Sierra Leone’s persistent energy challenges.