Government Refutes Electricity Diversion from Makeni to Freetown

Government Refutes Electricity Diversion from Makeni to Freetown

The Ministry of Energy has officially dismissed allegations that electricity meant for Makeni was being redirected to Freetown. Officials assured the public that the northern city is receiving its designated power allocation without interference.

During a weekly press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Deputy Minister of Energy I, Edmond Nonie, clarified the technical impossibility of the rumored diversion. He noted that Freetown’s demand stands at approximately 100 megawatts, whereas Makeni generates only six megawatts. 

Minister Nonie emphasized that the administration would not compromise one region's supply for another and confirmed that electricity services in Makeni and Magburaka have been fully restored following recent maintenance.

Providing a broader update on national electrification, Nonie highlighted that Kambia Town has seen its first-ever connection to the grid, with 275 homes now powered. 

He reported that Bo, Kenema, and Kono are currently receiving 15 megawatts, while Port Loko and Lunsar are allocated 1 megawatt and 1.25 megawatts, respectively. 

Additionally, Moyamba is being served by solar and generator plants, while districts such as Kailahun, Bonthe, and Pujehun continue to rely on local generator systems.

The Deputy Minister acknowledged that while the government is funding fuel to maintain these systems, revenue generation remains significantly lower than operational costs. He also pointed out that the dry season has reduced the Bumbuna hydroelectric dam’s output to just five megawatts, further straining the capital's power supply.

In an effort to improve service delivery, Nonie announced the introduction of a new electricity complaints Chatbot, developed alongside the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). 

The platform aims to streamline how the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) manages large volumes of consumer inquiries.

The briefing concluded with a government plea for citizens to utilize official channels for reporting issues and to desist from illegal connections, as national infrastructure improvements remain a priority for stable power provision.