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Presidential Spokesman Alpha Khan has countered claims by the Makeni City Mayor that residents of the city are not involved in electricity theft, insisting that available data from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and the Ministry of Energy points to significant power diversion in the region.
Speaking in an interview with ECKO Media, Mr. Khan addressed the backlash from the Mayor following a town hall meeting in Makeni, where the Mayor reportedly stated he was unaware of electricity theft among his constituents.
The Presidential Spokesman clarified that while the Mayor may not be personally involved, evidence suggests that a majority of electricity consumers in Makeni are engaged in the practice.
Mr. Khan illustrated the scale of the problem with a practical example: when 1,000 kilowatts of electricity valued at 10,000 Leones are transmitted, the expected revenue should be approximately one million Leones.
However, he noted that authorities often receive only 3,000 Leones from the same volume of power, leaving a shortfall of 7,000 Leones. He questioned where the missing power goes, asserting that it is diverted into people’s homes, indicating widespread theft.
The Presidential Spokesman emphasized that President Julius Maada Bio receives regular reports from EDSA and the Ministry of Energy on these matters. He noted that the President, having previously served as Minister of Energy, possesses a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges and has access to comprehensive data that the Mayor does not hold.
Mr. Khan also highlighted that Makeni is among the more fortunate cities in terms of electricity access, as it is connected directly to the Bumbuna hydroelectric line, ensuring it regularly receives power when the plant generates electricity a luxury not always afforded to Freetown.
He maintained that energy management falls under central government purview, and that the Mayor’s responsibilities are limited to areas such as hospitals, schools, and markets, rather than the energy sector, which has its own regulatory framework.
This exchange comes amid broader concerns raised by President Bio regarding electricity theft and non-payment of bills. The President recently warned that between 60% and 70% of electricity consumed in Makeni is not paid for, placing significant strain on the national power system and undermining government efforts to improve energy infrastructure across Sierra Leone . The government has announced plans to expand the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project and invest in additional solar and thermal power plants to address the country’s energy deficit .
