Sierra Leone’s Minister of Energy, Cyril Arnold Grant has praised the innovative and technology-driven partnership between the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) during the launch of the EDSA WhatsApp Fault Reporting Chatbot.

While talking about the strategic relevance of the tool, Mr. Grant said the platform will enhance service delivery and provide customers the opportunity to quickly report issues of low voltages, fallen poles and cables, tripping, vandalization of electricity installations, faulty meters and electricity-related incidents.

“This is the first system that has been built in Africa. The platform will help customers reliably and urgently communicate with EDSA with respect to issues surrounding electricity. We have made the platform accessible and available to all,” he said.

He said the technology will also help consumers access the load shedding schedules, especially during this time of the year when there is always a significant drop in the supply of electricity.

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Deputy Minister of Energy l, Ing. Edmond Nonie, said the Ministry was profoundly aware of the current electricity challenges but assured that the sector was sparing no efforts in finding solutions to the problem.

Ing. Nonie said the Chatbot will consummate the customer-service relationship between EDSA and consumers.

“It is an exciting time for us. We know that this is another tool that will help us listen to our customers, and for EDSA to respond to customers as quickly as possible,” he noted.

Director General of EDSA, George Taylor, expressed his delight at the facility, noting that the tool will help enhance service delivery and quicken responses of staff to the concerns of customers.

The EDSA WhatsApp Fault Reporting Chatbot is borne out of the innovative collaboration between the EDSA and DSTI aimed at helping consumers quickly report on issues of electricity challenges.

With the energy sector and the Feed Salone agenda being inextricably linked, reforms continue in the sector.