Frequent internet disruptions plaguing Liberia have been officially linked to the ongoing construction at PHP Park, a multimillion-dollar urban renewal project initiated under former President George Weah’s administration. The government claims that heavy construction work damaged the country’s sole fiber optic cable, cutting off vital connectivity for businesses, students, and everyday citizens.
Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando explained that during the park’s development, contractors placed massive rocks over the underground cable, causing it to sink and rupture.
“All internet cables from the Atlantic Ocean pass through that corridor,” Sando said. “The construction led to serious disruptions because large quantities of heavy rocks were placed over the cable, damaging it.”
Liberia depends on the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable for its internet access, meaning any damage creates nationwide outages. Frustrated users have endured slow speeds and sudden blackouts for weeks, impacting online services, banking, and education.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has stepped in, arranging for a specialized cable repair ship to arrive in October. Sando praised the LTA’s handling of the crisis, saying, “The LTA and its team have been farsighted in addressing this problem.”
However, with weeks still to go before repairs, many Liberians remain frustrated. Small business owners who rely on digital transactions and students needing online resources say the disruptions are hurting their livelihoods.
The government’s explanation has not convinced everyone. Supporters of the opposition, particularly backers of former President Weah, allege that the construction disruptions are deliberate, an attempt to undermine a project tied to the previous administration.
PHP Park, a sprawling recreational and commercial space, was one of Weah’s flagship urban development projects. Critics now question whether the current government is intentionally neglecting repairs or allowing damage to discredit the initiative.
While officials assure the public that repairs are on track, the political undertones of the situation continue to stir debate. For now, Liberians must wait until October for the promised fixes, hoping that once the cable is restored, both their internet and the political tensions will stabilize.
