*Lungi’s Persistent Blackouts: What Are Our Representatives Doing?*
*By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara*
For years, Lungi, a significant hub in Sierra Leone, has faced persistent blackouts that disrupt daily life, cripple businesses, and leave residents in frustration. Despite its prominence as the home of the country’s only international airport, Lungi has been unable to secure a reliable electricity supply a necessity for progress in today’s world.
The power outages have affected virtually every aspect of life. Small businesses reliant on electricity are forced to shut down or spend exorbitant amounts on fuel for generators. Students struggle to study under candlelight, while residents are deprived of basic comforts. As a result, the community is falling further behind in development, and opportunities are being lost.
The big question on everyone’s mind is: What are our elected representatives doing to address this issue?
Time and again, politicians have made grand promises to improve the electricity supply in Lungi. Campaign after campaign has come with assurances that power challenges would be resolved. Yet, the situation remains the same or worse. While surrounding areas see progress, Lungi residents are left in darkness, wondering if their votes truly matter.
It is disheartening to think that an area so critical to the nation’s image and economy could be neglected. Lungi International Airport welcomes thousands of visitors annually. What impression does it leave when the town surrounding the gateway to Sierra Leone is in perpetual blackout?
One would expect representatives to prioritize sustainable solutions for Lungi’s power crisis. Renewable energy options, partnerships with the private sector, and strategic investments in the national grid are all viable paths. However, action has been sluggish, and the silence from our representatives has been deafening.
Residents are now asking for transparency and accountability. What steps have been taken? What obstacles remain? Most importantly, what is the timeline for resolving this crisis?
The saddest part of it is that people pay for services they don’t enjoy. Light will be gone for three months or more, yet people are still required to pay for meter subscriptions. The moment EDSA provides electricity, even if residents have topped up with five hundred Leones, the system will still demand another top-up or subscription before allowing access to power. This exploitative practice adds insult to injury and further deepens the frustration of the people.
The people of Lungi deserve better. They deserve leaders who listen and act decisively. This isn’t just about electricity; it’s about dignity, economic empowerment, and development. The government and our representatives must remember that Lungi is not just a town t’s a reflection of Sierra Leone’s potential and priorities.
The persistent blackout in Lungi is a national embarrassment that requires immediate action. It’s time for leaders to step up, fulfill their promises, and ensure that the lights stay on not just in our airports, but in the homes and businesses of the people who call Lungi home.
As citizens, we must hold our leaders accountable and demand the development we’ve been promised. Lungi deserves more than darkness it deserves a brighter future.
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