The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) is the lifeline for public electricity in Liberia, yet it is struggling to operate effectively under the weight of financial neglect by the very government it serves. According to LEC’s outgoing CEO, Monie Captan, the Liberian government owes a staggering $18.9 million to the corporation, a debt that continues to choke its operations and weaken its ability to provide reliable power to the nation.
This isn’t just about unpaid bills—it’s about systemic failure. The refusal or inability of the government to settle this enormous debt has left LEC grasping for resources to maintain and expand its services. Power outages have become an all-too-familiar experience for Liberians, forcing businesses to rely on expensive generators and leaving households in darkness.
The LEC CEO made it clear that resolving this financial standoff would dramatically improve the company’s capacity to deliver electricity. Yet, despite multiple engagements with the Ministries of Finance and Mines and Energy, there seems to be no movement toward a payment plan or even a token payment to show good faith.
The Ripple Effect of Neglect
The consequences of this government inaction go far beyond the balance sheet. Power is a cornerstone of national development. Schools, hospitals, businesses, and households all rely on electricity to function. Without it, economic growth is stifled, healthcare services are compromised, and education suffers.
For LEC, the unpaid bills are a direct attack on its ability to upgrade infrastructure, pay employees, and meet the growing demand for electricity across Liberia. It’s not just a failure to pay—it’s a failure to prioritize the needs of the Liberian people.
Who Pays the Price?
As the government drags its feet, ordinary Liberians bear the brunt of the fallout. Power outages disrupt daily life, and many citizens are left wondering why they should pay their own electricity bills when the government doesn’t. This undermines public trust in LEC and weakens its revenue base even further.
The irony is striking: a government that urges citizens to pay taxes and utility bills is unwilling to lead by example. This hypocrisy erodes public confidence, not just in LEC, but in governance as a whole.
A Call for Accountability
It’s time for the government to take responsibility. Settling this debt isn’t just about numbers on a ledger; it’s about restoring the dignity of LEC, improving public services, and ensuring that Liberia can move forward as a nation.
If the government can’t—or won’t—pay its bills, how can it expect citizens and businesses to do the same? This isn’t just an LEC problem; it’s a national problem. The solution lies in transparent and accountable leadership, one that prioritizes the needs of its people over bureaucratic indifference.
The lights of Liberia are flickering. It’s time for the government to stop sabotaging the future and start illuminating it.
