Freetown, Sierra Leone, 5 May 2025– The National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) have reached a key understanding to resolve outstanding tax compliance issues, following a high-level meeting held on Monday in Freetown.
This development comes in the wake of the NRA’s enforcement action on 24 April 2025, which saw the temporary sealing of EDSA’s headquarters over unpaid tax liabilities totaling over NLe 328 million. At the time, the Ministry of Energy expressed concern over the action, citing the financial pressures EDSA faces due to legacy debts, government arrears, and broader fiscal constraints in the energy sector.
At the meeting on Monday, the EDSA delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Energy I, Edmond Nonie, alongside senior officials, including Deputy Director General James Rogers, Acting Chief Finance Officer Matthias Abu-Mattia, and Dr. Emmanuel Mannah, Director General of the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission. The NRA team was led by Commissioner General Jeneba J. Bangura, with Deputy Commissioner General Gerald H. Ganda and other senior staff present.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to compliance, transparency, and public service delivery. A key outcome of the meeting was a mutual agreement that allows EDSA to resume full operations while adhering to a structured plan for settling its tax obligations.
Commissioner General Bangura welcomed the agreement, reiterating that the NRA’s enforcement actions are intended to promote accountability and strengthen national revenue mobilization—not to penalize institutions. She emphasized the importance of fostering cooperation across government entities to support sustainable financial management.
This renewed engagement signals a shift toward constructive collaboration between the NRA and public institutions. It also underscores the value of dialogue in addressing systemic challenges while maintaining the continuity of essential public services such as electricity.
