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A coalition of civil society organisations, journalists, traders and commercial bike riders in Makeni is intensifying pressure on authorities to resolve the city’s prolonged electricity blackout, warning that businesses are facing growing losses and possible closure.
The group, drawn from across Bombali District, held talks two weeks ago with officials from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) in an effort to address the worsening power situation.
According to members of the coalition, electricity supply showed signs of improvement within 48 hours after the meeting. However, they say the progress was short-lived, as large parts of Makeni have once again been plunged into darkness.
Local businesses say they are bearing the brunt of the ongoing outage. Restaurant operators, fisheries, water bottling companies and traders dealing in perishable goods report mounting financial strain due to the lack of reliable electricity.
Some business owners warn that if the situation persists, they may be forced to shut down operations entirely.
Traders in perishable goods say they are incurring daily losses as they struggle to preserve stock without refrigeration, while bike riders and other informal workers note that the blackout is also affecting their ability to earn a living in a city increasingly slowed by unreliable power.
The coalition is now calling on EDSA and EGTC to provide a clear and lasting solution, urging authorities to prioritise Makeni’s electricity supply to prevent further economic damage.
They maintain that without urgent intervention, the prolonged blackout could have deeper consequences for livelihoods and the local economy.
