By Donstance Mustapha
The Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) continues to suffer setbacks as the authorized agents, like IPay, Orange mobile and Ventech companies, have been asked by their respective companies to stop selling EDSA top-up to the general public till further notice.
Ventech and IPay sales agents, at EDSA Headquarters, Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, who spoke to this medium on the basis of anonymity, said since last Thursday they were unable to sell to customers as their bosses assured them that the matter will be resolved soon.
Sales agents of IPay and Ventech companies are disturbed as huge sums of money remain in their machines. This has resulted to depriving them of their monies.
Sources furthered that internet hackers have entered the EDSA system, as most of the EDSA top-up vendors, in strategic corners of the city, were selling for the hackers and not EDSA.
Sources maintained that, as a result of the said interference, EDSA, in their wisdom, have decided to sell the top-up themselves in order to detect the hackers as the system is up and running.
Efforts to contact EDSA Public Relation Officer unto press time proved futile.
On Monday 17th July 2018, the nightwatch conducted some interviews with customers who were in the queue waiting to buy EDSA top-up. They had this to say:
Alusine Kargbo, from Dwrazack Farm, noted that he had been queuing for more than two hours without having access to the office to buy ESDA top-up.
Samuel Conteh, at Kissy, said he was having problems with his meter, adding that he contacted EDSA, but they told him that his meter had been tampered with and was yet to be fixed. Samuel attributed this incident to the poor maintenance culture of EDSA.
He described the situation as pathetic, especially for the common man who relies on electricity supply to earn a living on a daily basis.
Sampha Sesay, a barber at Glouster village community, said his barbing shop does not operate without electricity. In fact, most of his customers are accustomed to the electric barbing machine as many are finding it very difficult to use a barbing comb and razor blades. He called on EDSA authority to address the situation soonest.
Ali Samura, Back Street, Central Freetown, said he had been to the EDSA office for two days just to secure a top-up. He added that heavy rains were pouring on those two days.
He called on the Minister of Energy and the management of EDSA to solve this aching problem as soon as possible.
Foday Kabba, Looking Town Community, Kissy, told the nightwatch that he had been at EDSA Headquarters for the past two days and was unable to secure a top-up. He pondered over the problem since the management had refused to talk to them.
He said his mother takes care of the home through the selling of cold water and ginger beer, but noted that throughout last week they did not have access to electricity.
According to him, the situation makes it difficult to make ends meet in the home. He called on EDSA to revert back to the previous Airtel money transfer system since it is the easier way to access EDSA top-up.