NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL – 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 to respond to concerns over the country’s persistent electricity crisis.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The decision was reached Tuesday during the House’s first-day sitting of the second quarter of the third session, following a communication from Montserrado County Electoral District #8 Representative, Hon. Prince A. Toles.
He raised alarm over what he described as the continued instability in electricity supply across Liberia and questioned the LEC leadership’s failure to fully implement commitments made to the Liberian people.
In his communication, Representative Toles stressed that access to stable and uninterrupted electricity remains essential to national development, economic stability, healthcare delivery, education, public safety, and the general wellbeing of citizens.
He noted that despite assurances previously given by the LEC Managing Director during his confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate, the country continues to face frequent and prolonged power outages.
According to him, the Managing Director had pledged under oath to improve electricity generation, transmission, and distribution nationwide within set timelines, but current conditions, he said, show a significant gap between those promises and reality.
“Businesses continue to suffer enormous financial losses due to unreliable electricity supply. Hospitals and schools remain challenged by constant power interruptions. Families continue to live in darkness for extended periods despite paying electricity tariffs,” he stated.
Representative Toles further argued that the ongoing challenges at the Liberia Electricity Corporation raise serious concerns about accountability, credibility, and respect for legislative oversight, particularly regarding commitments made during the confirmation process.
He therefore requested that the LEC Managing Director appear in person before the House to respond to several key issues, including the causes of persistent nationwide outages, the status of commitments made during his Senate confirmation hearing, and the operational and financial constraints facing the institution.
He also wants the LEC boss to present measures being taken to restore stable electricity, provide a clear and time-bound roadmap for resolving the crisis, and give full details on all Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements entered into by the corporation, including their implementation status and benefits to the Liberian people.
The lawmaker emphasized that the Managing Director must appear personally and should not send a representative. He further suggested that failure to comply with the summons could lead to the issuance of a warrant for his appearance before the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The leadership of the House is expected to engage the LEC Managing Director as part of its constitutional oversight responsibility aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of key public institutions, including the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
