The Ministry of Energy has taken note of the National Revenue Authority (NRA)’s action and public statement regarding the temporary sealing of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) headquarters in Freetown today the 24th of April 2025.
While the Ministry acknowledges the statutory mandate of the NRA to enforce revenue compliance across all institutions, we wish to clarify that EDSA, as a wholly government-owned public utility, operates under immense financial strain due to legacy debts, tariff subsidies, and the broader fiscal challenges in the electricity sector. The current outstanding obligations, as cited by the NRA, are directly linked to systemic cash flow constraints—many of which are beyond EDSA’s immediate control. Most notably, EDSA continues to be owed millions of dollars by MDAs, Commercial Customers, and Consumers.
The Ministry of Energy is actively engaging the Ministry of Finance and relevant partners to address these structural financial issues, including clearing verified arrears and strengthening the revenue base of EDSA. It is important to highlight that EDSA has been cooperative with the NRA throughout the audit and reconciliation process and has not shown unwillingness to settle its obligations. EDSA has also been extremely prudent in the use of its statutory powers to disconnect Government with outstanding arrears to EDSA.
The Ministry views the enforcement action as disruptive to ongoing service delivery and counterproductive to the national effort to stabilize the energy sector. At a time when Sierra Leone is facing acute electricity supply challenges, such measures could further undermine the collective goal of ensuring reliable and affordable power for citizens and businesses.
We therefore urge the NRA to consider the broader implications of its enforcement approach on essential service delivery and to work collaboratively with sectoral ministries to develop a sustainable, whole-of-government solution to the financial pressures affecting key public utilities.
The Ministry of Energy reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and constructive dialogue, and remains open to working with the NRA and other stakeholders to resolve this matter urgently and amicably.
