Over Four Months Without Power: Pujehun Businesses, Residents Raise Alarm
Business owners and residents in Pujehun Town say a prolonged electricity outage lasting more than four months is severely affecting economic activities, households and essential public services.
Speaking to SKB, community stakeholders and business owners said the lack of electricity has affected businesses that depend on power to preserve goods, operate equipment and extend working hours. Community stakeholder Mohammed Sallu Conteh said electricity previously supported businesses, enabled children to study at night and helped households preserve food and other perishable products.
Another stakeholder, Abdullai Kamara, said the outage has negatively affected businesses and employment opportunities, while the high cost of fuel makes it difficult for residents and businesses to operate generators. He also raised concerns about the impact on healthcare and education, particularly the preservation of vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
Businessman Daniel Quie said he has suffered financial losses from spoiled frozen and other perishable goods, as well as the loss of customers and income. Businesswoman Adama Quie similarly said the outage has reduced her business activities by limiting her working hours, product preservation and use of electrical appliances. She appealed to the authorities to urgently restore electricity to the town.
Conteh and Kamara said they have been engaging relevant authorities through community meetings and other formal channels to seek a solution. Kamara said community stakeholders remain willing to work with the government and electricity authorities to find a sustainable solution.
Responding on behalf of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) in Pujehun District, Station Supervisor Amara Kamara said the lack of electricity is due to a shortage of fuel from the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC). He explained that EDSA is responsible for distributing electricity but does not control the fuel supply, and called on stakeholders to support efforts to facilitate fuel supplies so electricity can be restored to residents of Pujehun Town.
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