After two successful extensions of contracts for about four years and a half to an international energy company to manage the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), a trained and equipped Liberian has taken over the managerial position of the country’s national grid.
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is a public utility created in 1973 by the Government of the Republic of Liberia. This entity was developed through an Act of Legislation with a mandate to produce and supply economic and reliable electric power to the entire nation, while at the same time maintaining the corporation’s financial viability.
With authority, the mandate and responsibility of LEC are to improve and expand the system to meet future growth. LEC, therefore, obtains the responsibility of ensuring that efficient, reliable and affordable electric power is available, not only to meet the increasing demand for electric energy in Liberia but also to serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
Since 2018, the number of people in Liberia with access to main electricity has increased from 140,000 to over one million in 2022. The institution has for over four years being operated by an international company called ‘ESB International (ESBI)’.
ESB International (ESBI) is a growing international energy company and one of Europe’s leading engineering and consultancy organizations. They are part of ESB’s non-regulated businesses and operate across a wide area of the energy industry.
It was a time of joy for many over the weekend as Liberians were poised to take on and manage the activities of electricity across the country through the country’s own electrical cooperation, LEC.
The event was graced by representatives of the government of Liberia and other international partners including the World Bank, the American Embassy near Monrovia, and other partners in the energy sector.
At the event the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Tweah thanked the outgoing management for their services over the years, citing that they are leaving but will be called upon when ever their services are needed.
Minister Tweah at the same time encouraged the new management to remain engaged with customers as the government work to engage development partners to improve the energy sector of the country .
He pointed out that the sector is expected to get better in the not too distance future with the help of the government’s development partners.
For his part, the Board Chairman of the LEC, Mr. Monie Captan praised the outgoing management for their services offered to the people of Liberia in helping to improve the energy sector.
He was particular about the level of manpower trained by ESB international at the LEC, mentioning that the sector is on the rise.
Mr. Captan however expressed sadness over the form and manner in which some Liberians are bend on stealing electricity”, saying we will work to get this solve”.
Meanwhile, ESB International management lauded the government of Liberia, its international partners, and the people of Liberia for the worm resections given them during their time of stay in the country as he praised the staff in the public energy sector.
