On July 2, 2024, Hon. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Presidential Initiative for Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, addressed significant inefficiencies at the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) during the government’s weekly press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Hon.
Yumkella highlighted EDSA’s inability to tackle the ongoing electricity crisis,
revealing that the authority's operational inefficiencies have led to a
staggering 62% loss in its operations. This loss has made it difficult for EDSA
to adequately compensate service providers.
Yumkella
pointed out that EDSA collects only four cents for every ten cents of
electricity sold, with no transparency about the remaining six cents. He
stressed that this level of corruption and inefficiency if not urgently
addressed, will severely hamper trade and investment in Sierra Leone.
“We
are at a critical juncture. If we don’t fix EDSA, our entire economy is at
risk, including small businesses that rely on electricity. We could lose half a
million dollars in the next few years,” warned Hon. Yumkella, emphasizing the
gravity of the situation.
He
compared the performance of EDSA with the Liberia Electricity Company, noting
that while the latter can pay $10 million to the CLSG company in Ivory Coast,
EDSA struggles to make even a $100,000 payment. This comparison underscores the
extent of mismanagement within EDSA.
Yumkella
also criticized the practice of pressuring the Ministry of Finance to pay electricity
service providers when customers have already paid EDSA. He emphasized the need
for systemic reforms within the authority to address these issues.
By
spotlighting these management failures, Hon. Yumkella aims to push for crucial
reforms within EDSA to improve transparency, efficiency, and ultimately the
reliability of electricity supply in Sierra Leone.