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A coalition of civil society actors and media professionals from Sierra Leone’s northern region has initiated formal engagement with the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) to address the ongoing electricity crisis affecting Makeni and Magburaka.
The move follows weeks of prolonged power outages that have significantly disrupted daily life and economic activity in both cities. Households and businesses have reported mounting challenges, prompting stakeholders to seek immediate and sustainable interventions.
The initiative culminated in a high-level consultative meeting with EDSA’s senior management, where discussions focused on restoring stable electricity supply and mitigating the socio-economic effects of the outages. Participants described the engagement as constructive, noting that assurances were given regarding the normalization of power distribution in the near future.
During the meeting, EDSA attributed the sharp reduction in electricity supply from approximately 6 megawatts to 1.9 megawatts to seasonal environmental conditions rather than administrative decisions. According to the utility provider, reduced water levels at the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam have constrained generation capacity, leading to the current shortfall.
A representative from civil society emphasized the importance of dialogue in resolving such challenges, stating that collaboration between the media and civic groups plays a key role in driving accountability and practical solutions.
The engagement highlights the growing involvement of non-state actors in addressing public infrastructure concerns. While residents have welcomed the intervention, many continue to call for long-term strategies to prevent recurring disruptions, particularly given the reliance of local economies on consistent electricity supply.
Both EDSA and the stakeholder group have pledged to maintain open communication as efforts continue to stabilize the situation. Further updates are expected as technical measures are implemented and progress is made toward restoring full electricity services in the affected areas.
