–Monie Captain reveals in his farewell speech
By Jerromie S. Walters
In his farewell message November 27, 2024, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) immediate former Chief Executive Officer Monie R. Captain disclosed that the government is indebted to LEC in the amount of $18,975,049 as of October 31, 2024.
He noted that the Government of Liberia is the largest consumer of the electricity supplied by LEC, which accounts for approximately 14% of all energy sold. Unfortunately, the institution is experiencing more harm than good from the government interns of payment of its bill.
“Currently, the government is indebted to LEC in the amount of $18,975,049 as of October 31, 2024. The LEC management and the Board of Directors have engaged the government through the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to ensure that beginning 2025, budgetary allocations will be made to pay for the energy consumption of each government entity through prepay metering service,” he narrated.
According to him, the payment of energy bills by the government will improve LEC’s capacity to pay for energy imports and the maintenance of its electrical network, thus improving service delivery to the general public.
In a transition for the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Chief Executive Officer Monie R. Captain announced the conclusion of his tenure. Captain’s contract expired on November 30, 2024, marking the end of a transformative 2.5-year period for the corporation. President Boakai recently made an appointment to the post.
During his farewell press conference, Captain reflected on the challenges and successes that defined his leadership, emphasizing that the achievements were the result of collaborative efforts rather than individual accolades. He acknowledged the transition from foreign management under ESBI International to a locally-based team, which he described as one of the most professional groups he has ever worked with.
A Legacy of Progress
Captain took the helm of LEC on July 22, 2022, at a time when the national grid was heavily reliant on limited hydroelectric power, with only three operational turbines at the Mt. Coffee facility. Under his leadership, LEC undertook significant repairs and upgrades to the thermal generation units, investing over $2 million to restore all heavy fuel oil (HFO) units, which added 28 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.
In a swift move to enhance energy supply, LEC signed a Power Purchase Agreement with CIE/CI Energies of Côte d’Ivoire in October 2022, leading to an increase in power supply from 56 MW to 107 MW by the end of 2023, significantly easing energy shortages during the dry season.
Key Achievements
Captain highlighted several key metrics illustrating LEC’s progress during his tenure:
•Energy Supply: LEC’s energy supply surged from 275,426 megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2022 to a projected 520,000 MWh by the end of 2024, representing an 88.79% increase from 2023 to 2024.
•Reduction in Commercial Losses: Commercial losses decreased from 41.3% in 2022 to 27.5% by October 2024, thanks to the establishment of an Anti-Power Task Force and improved metering practices.
•Revenue Growth: LEC’s revenue rose from $24 million in 2022 to an anticipated $68 million by the end of 2024, marking a 183% increase over the period.
•Customer Base Expansion: The total customer base grew from 199,441 in 2022 to 306,433 by October 2024, reflecting a 53.6% increase.
Future Opportunities
Looking ahead, Captain outlined ambitious plans for LEC, including the transition to renewable energy sources and significant infrastructure projects. The corporation is set to repair the Mt. Coffee Unit 1 turbine, construct a new 20 MW solar power plant, and expand hydropower capacity with additional turbines.
Moreover, LEC is actively negotiating to secure power purchase agreements with neighboring countries, including Ghana, to further bolster its energy supply.
Acknowledgments and Gratitude
As he prepares to step down, Captain expressed gratitude to the LEC staff, international partners, and the government for their support. He emphasized the importance of teamwork in achieving the corporation’s milestones and highlighted the collaborative spirit that has driven LEC’s transformation.
In closing, Captain invoked a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, underscoring the value of perseverance and dedication in the pursuit of progress. “It is not the critic who counts,” he quoted, “but the man who is actually in the arena.”
