AYV News, May 22, 2025
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has announced significant leadership changes at Sierra Leone’s Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), thereby sacking the Authority’s Director General, Dr. Joe Lahai-Sormana, and his deputy, Ing. James Rogers.
Also, other four key managers, including the Commercial Manager, Head of Revenue Collection, Head of Technical Commercial Operations, and Marketing Manager, have been placed on forceful leave.
The reform agenda includes establishing a centralized revenue collection system, increasing private sector involvement, deploying tamper-proof meters, and overhauling EDSA’s ICT infrastructure. Additionally, staff training and direct oversight by the Ministry of Energy are prioritised.
The National Revenue Authority (NRA) has taken the step of shutting down the electricity building in Freetown, which houses the Ministry of Energy and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
The closure is a direct consequence of substantial unpaid taxes owed by the two government entities.
As a result of the NRA’s action, all staff members, including management and the general workforce of both the Energy Ministry and EDSA, have been evacuated from the premises and are currently gathered outside the sealed-off building.
This decisive move by the NRA signifies a major escalation in the government’s efforts to enforce tax compliance, even among its own institutions.
Further details regarding the amount of unpaid taxes and the duration of the closure are expected to emerge as the situation develops.
