Civil Society Activist J. Mus Criticizes EDSA Over Prolonged Blackouts and Rising Tariffs
Aaron Parker Civil society activist Musa Jalloh, popularly known as J. Mus has openly criticized the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) for its poor treatment of customers amidst ongoing blackouts in the capital city. The activist highlighted the increasing frustration of citizens as EDSA continues to fail in providing clear communication regarding the cause and duration of the power outage.
In a recent press release, EDSA attributed the blackout to a pump malfunction on the Karpowership, which supplies electricity to the city. However, the activist pointed out that the press release lacked crucial details, including how long the blackout is expected to last. This lack of transparency has fueled widespread speculation that the Karpowership may have withheld electricity supply due to delayed payments by the government, a recurring issue that has previously affected power delivery.
The activist also took aim at EDSA’s rising tariffs, describing them as exorbitant and exploitative. According to the activist, citizens now receive only 18.6 units of electricity for a Le100 meter top-up, a significant decrease from previous amounts. This has led to widespread complaints that EDSA, in collaboration with mobile network operators, is scamming the people of Sierra Leone by providing less value for their money.
“EDSA’s failure to provide reliable electricity, coupled with the unexplained high tariffs, is causing immense hardship for the people of Sierra Leone,” the activist said. “The capital is in darkness, and EDSA is not only failing to address the problem promptly but also failing to communicate transparently with the public.”
The activist called for urgent intervention by the government to address the issues with EDSA, ensuring accountability and fairness in the provision of electricity. The ongoing blackout and rising tariffs have only exacerbated the economic challenges faced by citizens, further eroding trust in the utility company and the government’s ability to manage essential services effectively.
The situation remains tense as residents await a more detailed response from EDSA and the government regarding the power supply crisis and the justification for the increasing tariffs.