By Dorcas T. Gboerreh-Boe
MONROVIA, July 9 (LINA) – The House of Representatives has summoned the management of the Liberia Electricity Corporation(LEC) and the Minister of Mines and Energy to appear before plenary the first sitting after the July 26 break to explain how the money given by government is being spent.
According to a communication from Montserrado County District #7 Representative Solomon George, about a month ago the government of Liberia gave the management of LEC US$6 million, which as the people’s deputies. the House must know how the money is expended.
George said the US$11.9 million generator purchased since three years ago to upgrade and improve power distribution to the country has not been used.
“ I have been working with the management of LEC for a while now, they do not mean well for Liberia, on a daily basis people are writing the LEC to have them connected but the management has refused to do so and it will interest you to note that they will tell the people to go and come back. For the last five months, Central Monrovia has been in darkness because LEC is not providing electricity to our people,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that “there are many communities in Central Monrovia and its environs which are connected to the LEC grid that are being grossly disrespected by the way they are being served,” adding that members of the management team are “living in Monrovia for years and their homes are not connected to the LEC grid.”
Supporting the communication, Grand Bassa County District # 4 Representative, Vincent Willie, explained that “I have lived on GSA Road in Paynesville, and we have been out of electricity for nine months. I have written several communications to LEC but up to date nothing has been done.”
It can be recalled that on January 8, 2018 the new management of LEC contract came into force, but up to present the expansion earmarked leaves much to be desired.
Also speaking, Lofa County District # 5 Representative Mariamu Fofana said “the appearance of the management of LEC before the House is long overdue; they need to come and tell us the challenges they are faced with so we ban all tackle and address them it to take Liberians out of darkness.”
It was unanimously voted upon for the management of LEC and the Minister of Mines and Energy to appear before plenary upon the House’s return from the July 26 break.
