…EDSA’S ‘ALAKI DOGS’ RENDER THOUSANDS HOMELESS
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
A trail of destruction and despair has engulfed communities across Sierra Leone, particularly in the Western Area, where dozens of homes have been reduced to ashes—leaving thousands homeless and several lives tragically lost. The cause? A dangerously erratic electricity supply, which many citizens have pinned squarely on the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
The fires, most of which occurred at night, have devastated families, destroying years of hard work, memories, and livelihoods. In some cases, entire households were caught off guard by sudden power surges, leading to uncontrollable blazes. More than ninety percent of the reported incidents, according to local authorities and affected residents, have been linked to EDSA’s epileptic and unstable electricity supply.
Despite the billions of Leones reportedly pumped into the energy sector over the years, the country’s electricity situation has only worsened—marked by extended blackouts, unplanned outages, and hazardous reconnections. Under the current EDSA management, frustration has reached boiling point, with many Sierra Leoneans describing the leadership as not only incompetent but also deeply corrupt.
The term “Alaki Dogs,” recently used by First Lady Madam Fatima Bio in reference to incompetent and selfish government personnel, has since been adopted by a growing number of angry citizens who feel betrayed by a system meant to power their lives—not destroy them. The label, though controversial, has become symbolic of the deepening public discontent over what is perceived as the reckless and unprofessional handling of the country’s power sector.
To make matters worse, EDSA’s much-publicized “load-shedding” schedule, introduced as a supposed solution to the worsening energy crisis, has failed to deliver on its promises. Communities across Freetown and beyond continue to suffer long, unpredictable blackouts, often with no prior warning or explanation.
“This is not just power failure; this is a national disaster in slow motion,” said one affected resident in Goderich, standing before the charred remains of his family home. “EDSA has become a danger to the people.”
As public outrage mounts, calls for a total overhaul of the electricity management system grow louder. Many are now demanding a full audit of EDSA’s operations, greater accountability, and the immediate resignation of senior officials seen as incapable of steering the sector out of its current mess.
For now, the fires of frustration burn almost as fiercely as the flames that have engulfed so many homes. And as Sierra Leoneans continue to watch their hopes go up in smoke, one painful question remains: how many more must suffer before real change comes?