By Feima Sesay
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Energy has held an intensive engagement with the Ministry of Energy to examine the proposed partial concession plan for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), focusing on issues of transparency, efficiency, and the potential impact on citizens.
The session, held in Freetown, aimed to clarify the government’s intentions behind the concession process and assess its implications for electricity consumers and the overall energy sector.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Charles Abdulai, stressed the importance of distinguishing between full privatization and partial concessions, emphasizing the need to safeguard public interest.
“We are not privatizing EDSA. We are inviting private sector participation to handle specific operational aspects—mainly technical and commercial—to enhance efficiency and reduce the financial burden on government subsidies,” he explained.
Despite assurances from the Ministry, several committee members raised concerns about the possible impact on electricity tariffs, especially given the negative outcomes of past privatization efforts in other sectors.
“We represent the people. It is our responsibility to ensure that this process does not add more hardship to already struggling consumers,” a committee member cautioned.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Ing. Edmond Nonie, clarified that the government would maintain full ownership of EDSA, while private operators would be granted defined roles under strict regulation. He added that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) would continue to oversee tariffs and service delivery to protect consumers from exploitation.
The session also addressed the growing issue of vandalism of electricity infrastructure, with lawmakers citing alarming incidents in districts such as Kabala and Kenema. Members called for the identification of contractors responsible for substandard installations and proposed the creation of special energy courts to expedite the prosecution of vandals.
Hon. Abdulai urged the Ministry and EDSA to intensify community outreach and public education campaigns.
“Popularization is key. Citizens need to understand that electricity infrastructure is public property. Without that sense of ownership, vandalism will persist,” he said.
The committee requested a detailed outline of the proposed concession agreement, including revenue-sharing models, legal safeguards, and accountability mechanisms. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled to review the draft agreements before any final decision is made.
As the June 2025 deadline for implementing the concession approaches, Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s national development agenda and prioritizes the welfare of citizens.
