The House of Representatives has summoned the Managing Director of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Hon. Mohammed M. Sheriff, to appear before its leadership on Monday. The summons addresses the country’s persistent electricity crisis. Plenary reached the decision Tuesday during its first sitting of the second quarter of the third session.
The move followed a communication from Montserrado County Electoral District #8 Representative, Hon. Prince A. Toles, who raised serious concerns about the continued unstable electricity supply across Liberia.
Toles also cited the alleged failure of the LEC leadership to fulfill commitments made to the Liberian people.
In his communication, Representative Toles described stable, uninterrupted electricity as a critical necessity for national growth, economic stability, healthcare delivery, education, public safety, and the overall wellbeing of citizens. He noted that despite repeated assurances from the LEC Managing Director during his Senate confirmation hearing, the country continues to experience severe and prolonged power outages.
According to Representative Toles, the Managing Director pledged under oath to improve electricity generation, transmission, and distribution nationwide within specific timelines. However, current conditions reflect a significant departure from those commitments.
“Businesses continue to suffer enormous financial losses due to unreliable electricity supply,” Representative Toles emphasized. “Hospitals and schools remain challenged by constant power interruptions. Families continue to live in darkness for extended periods despite paying electricity tariffs.”
The lawmaker further stated that the LEC’s continued inability to provide stable electricity raises concerns about accountability, credibility, and respect for legislative authority—particularly regarding promises made during the Senate confirmation process.
Representative Toles requested that the Managing Director personally appear before the House to provide explanations on several key issues:
1. The reasons for persistent nationwide electricity outages
2. The status of commitments and timelines presented during his Senate confirmation hearing
3. Operational and financial challenges confronting the LEC
4. Measures currently underway to restore stable electricity nationwide
5. A comprehensive, time-bound roadmap for resolving the ongoing electricity crisis
6. Full updates on all Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contracts and agreements entered into by the LEC, including their implementation status, obligations, and benefits to the Liberian people
Representative Toles stressed that the Managing Director must appear in person and cannot send a proxy. He further recommended that if the Managing Director fails to honor the summons, the Sergeant-at-Arms should issue a warrant to bring him before the House.
The House leadership will engage the LEC Managing Director on these concerns as part of the Legislature’s constitutional oversight responsibility. This ensures accountability and transparency in managing critical public institutions.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has also invited the Minister of Local Government to appear before plenary next Thursday. The invitation addresses implementation challenges surrounding Liberia’s 2018 Local Government Act and ongoing engagements affecting local governance structures nationwide.
The invitation followed a communication from Nimba County District Three Representative, Nehker E. Gaye, submitted before plenary during Tuesday’s sitting.
Representative Gaye stated that the rollout and execution of the 2018 Local Government Act remains critical for promoting inclusive governance, democratic participation, and strengthening local administrative structures throughout counties, districts, cities, and townships across Liberia.
The Nimba County lawmaker further expressed concerns over several engagements conducted by the Ministry of Local Government without adequately briefing lawmakers—including Senators and Representatives—on important national governance matters affecting local communities.
According to the communication, lawmakers seek detailed information concerning harmonization plans involving cities and townships. They also want the current status of statutory superintendents serving within Liberia’s statutory districts under existing governance arrangements nationwide.
Representative Gaye emphasized that the appearance will enable lawmakers to obtain clarity regarding implementation progress, existing challenges, and other important provisions within the Local Government Act that currently impact governance and administrative coordination across Liberia.
