By Mahamood Fofana
Residents in Bombali District and Tonkolili District are grappling with prolonged electricity outages following a sharp reduction in power supply, a development authorities say is part of a temporary national load management strategy.
The situation was confirmed by Sulaiman S. Koroma, Public Relations Officer for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) in the Northeast region. According to Koroma, the available electricity supply to the two districts has dropped significantly from 5.8 megawatts to just 2 megawatts. This reduction, he explained, is due to the diversion of power to Freetown, where authorities are attempting to stabilise the capital’s struggling energy supply.
Koroma acknowledged the severity of the situation and the disruption it has caused to households, businesses, and essential services in both districts. However, he emphasized that the decision was taken as a short-term intervention to address a broader national electricity crisis affecting multiple parts of the country.
“We are fully aware of the hardship this has created for our customers in Bombali and Tonkolili,” Koroma stated. “But this is a temporary measure aimed at addressing urgent power challenges in the capital while efforts are being made to secure more sustainable energy solutions nationwide.”
The ongoing outages have triggered growing frustration among residents and business owners, many of whom depend heavily on consistent electricity for their daily operations. Small-scale enterprises, cold storage facilities, and digital service providers are among those hardest hit, with some reporting financial losses due to the unreliable power supply.
Despite these challenges, Koroma reassured affected communities that their concerns remain a priority for EDSA and the government. He stressed that the importance of consumers in Bombali and Tonkolili is not diminished by their geographic location, describing them as equally vital to the national grid.
In response to the crisis, an emergency stakeholders’ meeting involving EDSA and the Ministry of Energy is currently underway. The discussions are focused on identifying both immediate and long term solutions to stabilise electricity distribution across the country, including restoring adequate supply to the northern districts.
Meanwhile, civil society activists and journalists in Bombali District have actively engaged representatives from EDSA and EGTC in a dialogue aimed at addressing public concerns. The meeting, described by participants as constructive and solution-oriented, concluded with firm assurances that efforts are being intensified to normalise the power situation.
Authorities maintain that the current disruptions are temporary and have pledged to work around the clock to restore stable electricity to the affected districts. However, for many residents, the experience has reignited broader concerns about energy equity and the need for more resilient and decentralized power infrastructure in Sierra Leone.
As the situation unfolds, attention remains fixed on how quickly the government and energy sector stakeholders can deliver on their promises and ensure that communities outside the capital are not left in prolonged darkness.
