By Sampat JMB. Kpakimah
Residents of the Voice of America (VOA) #1 Road community in Montserrado County are calling on the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the national government to address unequal electricity distribution in the area.
Some homes in the community have been connected to the national grid, while many others remain without power despite the presence of electricity poles, residents said.
A student living in the Brewerville City community said electricity has not reached his neighborhood.
“The poles are here, but we are still waiting. We are trusting the government and LEC to do their best so that electricity can reach us,” he said. He said workers had at one point removed and later reinstalled some poles but offered no explanation for the delay.
Council of Elders Chairman Septimus Swaray said community leaders have repeatedly raised the issue with LEC but have seen little progress. Swaray said senior LEC officials told him the corporation lacks the necessary materials to extend electricity to remaining households.
“They told us there are no materials in the country at the moment. I don’t know whether the delay is political or intentional, but our people continue to suffer while other homes already have electricity,” he said. Swaray said District #17 Representative Bernard Benson is aware of the situation, though the community has not formally written to him.
He said the lack of electricity is affecting children’s ability to study at night.
“Our community lacks basic necessities, including electricity, safe drinking water, good roads and nearby health facilities. We signed a social contract with the government, and it is the government’s responsibility to provide these essential services,” he said.
Petty businesswoman Ellen McGill said she has heard allegations that individuals claiming to be LEC staff have asked residents to contribute money before receiving connections. McGill said the absence of electricity hurts small businesses because customers are reluctant to shop in dark areas during the evening.
“My business suffers at night because the area is dark. It is also affecting our children. Sometimes they have to go to school without properly preparing because there is no light. When they return from school, how are they expected to study?” she asked. Resident Varney Taylor called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to personally assess conditions in communities rather than relying solely on reports from officials.
“The government may be trying, but everything is not well in our communities. Electricity is right next to my house at another government official’s residence, but it has not reached me or many of my neighbors. We understand electricity expansion is a process, but it is taking too long,” Taylor said.
LEC Public Relations Officer Philip Farley said the corporation is preparing to begin Phase Two of its electricity expansion project around November. Farley said the project is supported by the World Bank and that delays have resulted from procurement of materials taking longer than anticipated.
He said LEC expects materials to arrive before the second phase begins and assured residents that customer connections will continue once materials become available.
Farley categorically denied allegations that residents are being asked to pay for connections.
He said LEC does not charge customers for new connections and that the service has remained free for the past two years under the ongoing connection program. Farley said the corporation has dismissed several employees over illegal practices and maintains a zero-tolerance policy against extortion.
“Anyone who is asked to pay money for an electricity connection should immediately report the individual to LEC through 4500 lines and confidentially LEC will do its investigation and have that person held liable. We do not tolerate such actions,” he said.
He acknowledged that some community members attempt to obtain electricity through illegal connections and often complain only after they are disconnected or penalized.
Residents are calling on the government and LEC to ensure electricity is distributed fairly and that all households in the VOA #1 Road community benefit from the electrification program.
