Freetown, once heralded as the beacon of Sierra Leone’s potential, is today languishing in the dark—both literally and metaphorically. The persistent and worsening electricity supply crisis is more than just an inconvenience; it is a profound indictment of the failures in governance, infrastructure, and vision that have plagued our nation for far too long.
The people of Freetown are not only struggling to live in a modern city without reliable power but also enduring the indignity of broken promises and unfulfilled potential of previous and present governments.
FORUM NEWS believes that Freetown’s power crisis is more of a blight on progress and dignity for freetonians.
Every household in Freetown has felt the harsh reality of unreliable electricity. From students straining their eyes to study by candlelight to businesses forced to close early, and from hospitals grappling with erratic power for life-saving equipment to families who can no longer afford to keep their food fresh, the crisis has permeated every aspect of daily life. The ramifications are not just economic; they strike at the very heart of our community’s well-being and progress.
It is unconscionable that in 2024, with advancements in technology and countless promises from successive governments, Freetown remains in the dark. The root of this crisis lies in systemic failures—poor planning, endemic public sector corruption, and a lack of accountability. Year after year, we hear grandiose plans for energy sector reform, investment in renewable energy, and promises of an end to load shedding. Yet, year after year, the situation deteriorates, with residents left to wonder if the promises were ever more than empty rhetoric.
The situation is aggravated by the apparent disconnect between those in power and the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens. While the elite enjoy uninterrupted power in their air-conditioned offices and homes, the average Freetonian is left to fend for themselves, purchasing expensive generators or resigning to hours of darkness. This disparity is not just a failure of infrastructure—it is a failure of empathy and governance.
The private sector, which is the engine of growth in any economy, is particularly hard-hit by this crisis. Small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of Freetown’s economy, yet they are being stifled by the inability to access consistent and affordable electricity. Entrepreneurs, who should be the drivers of innovation and job creation, are instead battling to keep their businesses afloat in the face of exorbitant generator costs and frequent power outages. The knock-on effect on employment, investment, and economic growth is devastating.
Furthermore, the environmental cost of the current situation is alarming. The widespread use of diesel generators is contributing to air pollution, which is not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of our citizens. Freetown’s air quality is deteriorating, leading to respiratory illnesses and further burdening our already strained healthcare system. The government’s failure to address the electricity crisis is not only a betrayal of its people but also a dangerous gamble with the future of our nation’s health and environment.
What Freetown needs now is not more excuses or half-baked solutions, but decisive and transparent action. We need an energy policy that is not just about keeping the lights on today but is sustainable, equitable, and forward-looking. This includes a serious commitment to renewable energy sources that can reduce our dependence on unreliable and costly fossil fuels, and a crackdown on the corruption that has long siphoned off funds meant for infrastructure development.
The people of Freetown deserve leaders who are accountable and who prioritize the needs of their constituents over personal gain. It is high time that the government addressed this crisis with the urgency it demands. We need clear timelines, transparent communication, and measurable outcomes—not just more empty promises. The current state of affairs is untenable and should be unacceptable in any society that claims to be striving for progress.
In the end, electricity is not just about convenience; it is about dignity, opportunity, and the right to a better life. Freetown’s citizens have been patient for far too long, enduring the consequences of neglect and mismanagement. It is time for the government to step up and deliver the reliable power supply that Freetown so desperately needs and deserves. Our city’s future depends on it.
