By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Residents along Dama road, Kamara Town Section, Tokpombu and Kpetema section in Kenema have expressed dissatisfaction over the unaddressed power outage that they claim is as a result of lack of action by the Electricity Distribution and Supply Agency (EDSA) to replace a faulty transformer that was transmitting power to the communities.
They have threatened to protest against EDSA in Kenema for depriving them of electricity supply for over three months now.
A resident of Second Street, Kenema, Alhaji Kamara told Politico that they have been in blackout since their transformer got damaged. He said they have approached EDSA management in Kenema about the electricity status within their communities, but claimed their concern has not been given the deserved attention.
He pointed out that the blackout has caused an increase in crime in the communities with criminals using the cover of darkness to cause mayhem.
‘We will soon mobilize and march to EDSA’s office to express our concerns, since they are not taking us serious,’’ he said.
Kamara claimed that inspite of the continued blackout, EDSA still expects them to pay the meter rate which he vowed they will vehemently resist. He reiterated that, the blackout has affected the livelihoods of people especially women, whom he said depend on electricity for their businesses through which they support their family.
A single parent Jeneba Kemoh also an affected resident, pointed out that she and her four children depend on her freezer to sell ice and water to feed her kids. She called on authorities to address the power outage problem.
‘’We as widows are calling on the energy minster to talk to EDSA to restore our transformer back, otherwise things will be difficult for us,”,she added.
Francess Sama Kemokai who lives close to the Lebanese Mosque said buying fuel for their generator has now become a challenge and urged EDSA to address the power situation within the shortest possible time, especially when fuel cost has shot up to NLE 20 (twenty New Leones).
Jaminatu Jalloh from Kpetema section said the blackout situation in Kenema has become unbearable, saying, it is through electricity she is paying her house rent and the other needs of her family.
The Public Relations Officer of EDSA in Kenema, Saffa Brima Moriba, confirmed to Politico that the EDSA management in Kenema has done all the necessary documentation for another transformer and forwarded it to Freetown.
He stated that EDSA Kenema will not be happy to see their customers experience blackout as it is through them they generate income for the institution. He added that, the faulty transformer at Holy Rosary compound at Dama road is also a concern to them.
Moriba further stated that the EDSA team is set to fix the transformer immediately it arrived in Kenema.
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