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The Ministry of Energy has immediately responded to the recent temporary sealing of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) headquarters by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) on Thursday, 24th April, 2025.
The Ministry acknowledged the NRA’s mandate to enforce revenue compliance but stressed the significant financial challenges EDSA faces as a wholly government-owned public utility. In its statement, the Ministry highlighted that EDSA is currently burdened by legacy debts and tariff subsidies, which have contributed to severe fiscal constraints within the electricity sector.
“EDSA continues to be owed millions of dollars by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), commercial customers, and consumers,” the Ministry stated. They emphasized that the outstanding obligations pointed out by the NRA are linked to those systemic cash flow issues, many of which reside outside EDSA’s immediate control.
The Ministry of Energy has poised to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant partners to address the financial challenges plaguing EDSA. As stated in the press statement, they are actively working to clear verified arrears and enhance EDSA’s revenue base. The Ministry noted that EDSA has been cooperative with the NRA throughout the audit and reconciliation processes, demonstrating its willingness to settle obligations.
The sealing of the EDSA offices by the NRA has been described as “disruptive to ongoing service delivery” by the Ministry. They cautioned that, during a time of acute electricity supply issues in Sierra Leone, such measures could detract from the collective goal of providing reliable and affordable power to citizens and businesses.
In light of these developments, the Ministry urged the NRA to consider the broader implications of its enforcement actions on essential service delivery. They called for a collaborative approach among sectoral ministries to devise a sustainable solution to the financial pressures faced by key public utilities.
The Ministry of Energy reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and constructive dialogue. They expressed readiness to work closely with the NRA and other stakeholders to urgently resolve the situation amicably.
