-As Senators Cross Examined LEC Quest of Passing “Power Theft” Law
Monsterrado County Senator Saah Joseph has indicted the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) for creating power theft across Montserrado County.
Speaking Monday May 20, 2019 following the appearance of the management of the LEC praying the indulgence of the Liberian Senate in passing the Power Theft Bill from the Executive Branch of Government, Senator Joseph said the law is not necessary for now.
According to him, he is not against the passage of the Bill, but the corporation should be contemplating on doing more connections through the distribution of meters across Montserrado County rather than passing a law on power theft.
He lamented that the failure of the entity to connect more communities in Montserrado County is causing power theft. The Montserrado County lawmaker further alleged that illegal connections are done in close consultaion with some staffs from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
“The LEC is her own problems. Citizens are crying for connections but they are not getting those connections. LEC must provide meters, but they doing nothing to meet the citizens’ demand, but they are talking about power theft Bill,” Senator Joseph said.
Senator Joseph also accused the LEC of purchasing outdated transformers for connection in Montserrado County after reciveing a huge sum of money in the tone of US$20million from the Norwegian Government.
He said the LEC must give account of the money instead of stressing on power theft Bill. Senator Joseph added “all transformers purchased by the LEC are spoiled. They must make sure to connect all communities in Montserrado County as envisioned by the Norwegian Government.”
He indicated that the adherence to the mandate of the Norwegian Government in connecting various communities will help curtail power theft.
Speaking earlier, Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Varney Sherman accused the Liberian Government of consumming large portion of electricity without paying her fees as required. He said “What is responsible for the LEC poor performance is that the government doesn’t pay its bill. LEC once threatened to cutoff the president and I suspect it is still happening.”
Senator Sherman questioned the management of LEC whether the passage of the Bill will resolve the issue of power theft as anticipated.
“There is a syndicate and there is a need for public education to inform the communities that paying syndicate is more expensive than buying from the LEC,” Senator Sherman.
On Senator Sherman’s assertion, the management of LEC said the syndicates are stealing signifcant amount from the Liberian people. The management also added that everyone is encouraging the government to pay her monthly bills.
At the same time, Grand Kru County Senator Peter Coleman has revealed that there is no power theft without the consent of employees.
Senator Coleman wants the management to first strive to get those he calls ‘pseudo staffs’ out of the corporation before talking about power theft Bill.
“The syndicates or big bosses are right within the LEC. We need to get to those big bosses because they are around encouraging power theft,” Senator Coleman added.
However, when contacted the managemnt on Senator Joseph’s allegation, the head of the top management team of the LEC at the Liberian Senate remained tightlipped as he walks off the assmebled legislative reporters.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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