Energy Minister Calls for Public Action Against Electricity Theft and Illegal Connections
Alex Fefegula Harding Sierra Leone’s Energy Minister, Cyril Arnold Grant, has called for stronger public cooperation to curb electricity theft and unauthorised connections, warning that the practices threaten the reliability of the country’s power supply.
Speaking at the Government’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Miatta Civic Centre in Freetown, Grant said unauthorised electricity use strains the national power network and complicates efforts to deliver dependable services.
He stressed that electricity theft is not solely an institutional challenge but requires consumers, government agencies, electricity providers, and security institutions to work together.
The minister urged electricity users to obtain connections through approved procedures, settle their bills using authorised payment channels and refrain from interfering with electricity meters.
He also encouraged members of the public to report suspected illegal connections and damage to electricity infrastructure to the appropriate authorities.
Grant said a more reliable electricity supply remains important to the operation of businesses, healthcare institutions, schools and other essential public services.
He added that responsible consumption, stronger enforcement and continued investment in the energy sector would be necessary to improve electricity delivery and sustain the national power system.
The minister maintained that public participation in protecting electricity infrastructure would be essential to addressing the challenges facing Sierra Leone’s energy sector.