Monrovia — Citizens across Monrovia and surrounding areas are rallying against a proposed electricity tariff hike from the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) that could raise rates from 36% to 40%. If approved by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), this increase is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, prompting residents to vow resistance against power theft in response.
On October 21, 2024, the LERC announced that the LEC had submitted a proposal for new electricity tariffs, which would remain in effect from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. The proposal aligns with Section 8.1(2) of the 2015 Electricity Law of Liberia, which stipulates that a licensee can only charge tariffs approved by the regulator. This submission comes as the current tariff regime, active since January 1, 2022, is set to expire.
The LERC has called for LEC to provide supporting documents justifying its proposed tariff structure, promising a thorough review based on the 2015 Electricity Law, the 2021 Electricity Tariff Regulation, and the Multi-Year Tariff Methodology.
A public opinion survey conducted by The Liberian Investigator on October 31 revealed widespread discontent with the LEC’s proposal. Many respondents highlighted ongoing issues such as unstable power supply, inadequate customer service, and poor monitoring systems.
Former Secretary-General of the Press Union of Liberia, Atty. Musa B. M. Kenneh, condemned the tariff increase, stating, “This drastic increase will harm the economy and fuel power theft.” The sentiment is echoed by local business owners, such as Mohammed Dukuly, who runs a mobile money service in Caldwell. He emphasized the need for LEC to stabilize electricity supply before considering a tariff increase.
Criticism has also come from Ezekiel P. Seoh, Chairperson of the Borough Recreation and Intellectual Center (BRIF), who noted, “Even the United States hasn’t raised electricity tariffs by 40%, yet here we are in Liberia facing such an outrageous proposal.” Seoh is planning to mobilize citizens in Krutown to demand accountability from the LEC.
Kebbeh Korie, a businesswoman in Barnesville, shared her struggle to afford electricity, recounting nights spent in darkness due to high costs. She suggested a flat-rate system to alleviate financial burdens on households, adding, “If they force this increase on us, they might as well prepare to arrest us all for power theft.”
Concerns over the government’s past promises to improve electricity supply further fueled discontent. Mercy Washington, known as MC Caro in Doe Community, questioned the efficacy of sourcing electricity from Ivory Coast, stating her community has been without power for a month.
As the January 2025 deadline approaches, citizens are united in their opposition, with many emphasizing that the proposed hike could lead to unprecedented levels of power theft. Jerry Sumo, a store worker in Vai Town, warned that the economic strain will compel many to avoid recharging their meters.
Local business owner Varney George Kartor lamented the impact on his entertainment center, saying, “I reject this tariff increase outright.” With mounting backlash, the LEC faces a challenging path ahead as residents demand better service and accountability in the face of proposed rate increases.
