‘’EDSA Tiger” Takes Over Freetown

Prior to the resignation of former Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Freetown, the capital city was plagued with intermittent blackouts. With this situation, Freetown residents cried loud for the improvement and constant supply of electricity in the city. President Bio heard the loud cry and condemnation from all corners in Freetown.

Following the loud cry and demand for enhanced electricity supply, Alhaji Kanja Sesay could not stand the storm, he tendered his resignation as Minister of Energy. In reality, Kanja Sesay was sick and fed-up with the many bashing from the public.

A Bold Decision

President Julius Maada Bio a listening and a gentleman boldly took over the Ministry of Energy as Minister of Energy. Freetown residents were happy and pleased that the President is now directly in charge of electricity supply to the city.  For a while, there was great improvement in electricity supply in Freetown.

Short Lived

Promising a complete transformation of the city’s power sector coupled with his aggressive approach to resolving the electricity crisis has sparked both hope and controversies amongst Freetown residents. Since January and February 2025, Freetown has been experiencing the most terrible power outage. Some residents have complained that their communities have gone without electricity for weeks. They are asking, what is the Energy Minister doing to resolve the electricity crisis in Freetown? Is it a sabotage from EDSA’s end?

Sierra Leone cannot build a modern Freetown on unstable electricity, therefore the city deserves uninterrupted power. While some citizens praised President Bio’s decisive decision to take over the energy sector, others are worry about the speed and force of his decision. Furthermore, many Freetown residents were thrilled by the promise of consistent electricity supply. But this is not working either, the Freetown residents are still crying.

‘’EDSA Tiger’’

As many Freetown residents wallow in darkness in the night while some have resorted to switch on their generators in  the night, some people have dubbed the generators ‘’EDSA Tiger’’.

It could be recalled during the presidency of the Late Ahmed Tejan Kabba of blessed memory frequent electricity outages were the hall mark in the country. Many people had to resort using generators. Interestingly, many people made fun out of the use of generators by dubbing it ‘’Kabba Tiger’’. Late President Kabba was aware that they have rebranded the generators to ‘’Kabba Tiger’’. It is believed that he must have smiled and laughed over it. These is what is described as tolerance in a leader.

Implications for Businesses

With the current erratic electricity outage, there is no iota of doubt that businesses in Freetown are adversely affected. For instance, those who own generators have to buy fuel every day to operate their businesses. Certainly, it’s an extra cost for businesses which will result to increase in prices for goods and services.

Moreover, those who are using freezers and other methods to cool their drinks are subjected to buy frozen ice at an exorbitant price. This again will lead to increase in price for frozen ice.

For households, perishable goods will no longer be attractive to buy in the market.

The Way Forward

With this problem at hand, those handling the energy sector should desperately search for the problems and proffer lasting solutions.Freetown residents are not happy. ‘Lonta’.