Citizens reject high meter costs.

Citizens in Maryland County are rejecting a US$ 130-meter charge by a private service provider to supply electricity.  

By Patrick N. Mensah, Maryland County

Maryland, Liberia, September 6, 2024—Amidst the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission’s engagement with citizens in Maryland County to resolve persistent issues, several citizens in the county are calling on the Commission and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to clarify the removal of meters provided by Alpha TND, a private service provider.

ALPHA TND LTD is an Indian firm that started planting light poles in communities in Pleebo, Maryland, and Fish Town, River Gee, respectively, in Southeast Liberia in 2021

The Pleebo-Fish Town corridor was a component of the Liberia Energy Efficiency Access Project (LEAP), a US$31.8 million program jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) through the Government of Liberia.

The project covers streetlights, transformers, light poles, meters, and power cables.

By then, the ALPHA TND LTD program manager noted that the initiative was part of the Liberian government’s commitment to its Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, which sought to expand and increase access to reliable and affordable electricity throughout Liberia.

However, after the contract was completed, citizens of Pleebo District, Maryland, alleged that meters installed in their homes by the company were removed by staffers believed to be LEC workers.

They disclosed that their meters were removed without proper explanation prior to the award of the electricity contract to LIB Energy, and now the subcontractor is demanding that they pay US$130 each for the meters.

They termed the cost exorbitant and an act of corruption that the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission needs to address.

According to Mr. Aloysius Williams, Statutory Superintendent of Pleebo District, the alleged removal of meters installed by the African Development Bank under the ALPHA TND project contradicts the intent of the African Development Bank-funded project.

 Superintendent Williams explained that the meters, which were intended to be free of charge, are now being sold for $130 each, a practice he deems unfair and inconsistent with other regions of the country.

He said the meters allegedly removed by LIBENERGY are the same ones now being resold to them, imposing a financial burden on residents.

Superintendent Williams called for a review of the situation and a return to the terms of the original agreement.

Citizens raised concerns about the matter while engaging with the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) in Maryland County.

The Director for Technical Services at the LERC, Mr. Abu Dekonte Sanson, acknowledged complaints filed by lawmakers and residents regarding high cost of meters sold by LIBENERGY, the service provider.

He said the LERC’s objectives include addressing longstanding disputes over meter sales and improving transparency and communication between the Commission and the public.

He emphasized that LIBENERGY agreement with the Liberian government involves creating greater awareness of their services, ensuring fair service provision, extending electricity to new communities, purchasing materials, supplying transformers, connectors, and wires to new communities, enhancing customer access, and expanding services, among other responsibilities. Still, he noted that there have been concerns about the company’s ability to meet these obligations effectively.

According to him, LIBENERGY, which holds a five-year license to operate as an electricity provider in Maryland, River Gee, and parts of Nimba, has been allegedly criticized for poor infrastructure and service delivery handling.

He, however, called on residents to exercise patience, as the Regulator will address their concerns, including the removal of meters installed by ALPHA TND LTD.

For his part, Pleebo City Mayor, Larry G. Geekor, representing the Concern Current Users committee, criticized $0.25 per kilowatt-hour fee as excessive and urged the LERC to address their concerns urgently.

Meanwhile, LIBENERGY’s Manager for Maryland and River Gee Counties, Mr. Henry Gahie Hodge, has called on citizens to embrace the new prepaid meters, which he said aims to streamline billing process and ensure efficient energy use. “We encourage every customer to take advantage of the opportunity by purchasing their prepaid meters,” Manager Hodge emphasized.

He highlighted the company’s commitment to engaging with local communities through meetings in Harper and Pleebo to foster dialogue, address concerns, and strengthen partnerships. Editing by Jonathan Browne