Sierra Leone is once again plunged into the throes of an energy crisis, and this time, Freetown – the capital and commercial heartbeat of the nation – is bearing the brunt of a prolonged and frustrating power outage that shows no sign of abating. The situation has reignited deep concerns about the Government’s energy priorities, leadership preparedness, and long-term power strategies.

Over the past few weeks, since the Turkish Karpowership drastically scaled back its supply of electricity, Freetown has descended into near-constant darkness. Businesses, government offices, and entire communities are facing more than 100 hours of blackout, forcing many into despair and disrupting daily life. For a city that serves as the economic engine of Sierra Leone, the implications are staggering.

In the heart of the Central Business District (CBD), business owners are feeling the heat—literally and financially. “This is hurting us badly,” lamented one entrepreneur. “We can’t run generators 24/7. Fuel costs are skyrocketing. We need action, not promises.” Others echoed similar sentiments, accusing the government of silence and inertia while livelihoods crumble.

The hospitality sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s economy, is particularly devastated. Major hotels like Atlantic Lumley, Bintumani, Medrie, and The Hub have been operating in darkness, some without power for over ten days. “We are on the verge of collapse,” a hotel manager confided. “We can’t run laundry services, air conditioning, or basic operations. Tourists are cancelling bookings. This is unsustainable.”

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This energy crisis comes at a time when Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY), Presidential Adviser on Energy, had reassured the public that the Bio administration had learned from past mistakes and had a robust energy plan in place. Yet, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Weeks into the blackout, there’s no clear solution or timeline for resolution. His critics are asking tough questions: Was KKY unprepared? Did he underestimate the complexity of Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure? Or has the government failed to support his strategies with the necessary investments and policy muscle?

“We were told things would be different under new management,” remarked a disappointed citizen on social media. “But now, we are worse off than ever. Even during the rains, we used to get some light. Why not this year? What changed?”

From the Atlantic Lumley Hotel to the Bintumani and Medrie Hotels, the chorus is the same: silence from EDSA (Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority), and no response from the Ministry of Energy. Engineers have gone quiet. No official updates. No clear explanation.

This isn’t just about electricity—it’s about governance, accountability, and leadership. Residents are growing increasingly frustrated, with many pointing out that while the government is busy signing agreements to build grand infrastructure projects like the Lungi Bridge, the basic need for reliable electricity is being neglected.

“What use is a bridge if we can’t power our homes, hospitals, and businesses?” asked one hotel manager. “The government must prioritize fixing the national grid, expanding generation capacity, and renegotiating power agreements before embarking on vanity projects.”

Sierra Leone’s energy challenge is not new, but this latest episode underscores how vulnerable the system remains. The over-reliance on external power sources, lack of diversification, absence of contingency planning, and the failure to scale up renewable energy are key flaws in the current approach. For a country rich in water resources, the absence of a functioning hydropower system during the rainy season raises even more questions.

As the people cry out for relief, patience is running out. KKY, once hailed as the man with the vision to revolutionize Sierra Leone’s energy sector, now finds himself at the center of public scrutiny. His success—or failure—will depend not only on his ideas but on the urgent implementation of tangible, visible solutions that the people can feel.

In the end, power is not just about electricity—it is about the power to lead, to act, and to deliver. And right now, that power seems to be missing just as much as the lights in Freetown.