The frequent, erratic switching of power, often referred to as “automatic off and on” by The Nature Newspaper, is more than just an inconvenience; it is a direct threat to your property, your safety, and the national economy. As citizens faithfully fulfill their obligations by purchasing prepaid credit, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) must uphold its end of the bargain by providing stable, safe, and reliable power.
When power oscillates rapidly, it creates voltage surges and blackouts that act as “equipment killers,” causing cumulative damage to internal circuitry. In our homes and offices, the consequences are devastating. Fridges and AC units are at high risk because frequent restarts prevent compressor pressure from equalizing, leading to motor burnout. Offices face the corruption of hard drives and the frying of motherboard capacitors in computers and servers.
Most critically, overheated wiring and sparked components from these reckless fluctuations are the primary triggers for domestic blazes. Looking back at 2025, the majority of recorded fire disasters in Freetown were officially linked to these unstable power cycles. EDSA must be held liable for property loss when technical negligence is the proven cause. The economic toll is a heavy national burden. Electricity is the heartbeat of the economy, and when that heartbeat is irregular, the entire nation suffers.
In the small business sector, the destruction of perishable goods in cold rooms and the fishing industry leads directly to reduced household income and massive food waste. In manufacturing, constant machine recalibration and motor repairs result in higher costs for local goods and a decrease in overall GDP. Public services are also hit hard, as hospital equipment like MRI machines and oxygen concentrators malfunction, leading to increased mortality rates and rising healthcare costs.
We demand that EDSA conduct an immediate technical audit to fix the fluctuations causing this “automatic” switching. There must also be a clear liability framework for citizens to claim compensation for appliances destroyed by verified fluctuations, alongside proactive communication to notify the public of grid instability before it results in a fire. Citizens, protect your homes by using high-quality stabilizers and unplugging electronics during tripping. EDSA, it is time to take responsibility.
