Monrovia, Liberia — The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has issued a strong public warning following what it describes as a troubling rise in the destruction of critical electrical infrastructure across its operational areas.
According to the Corporation, incidents of damage are increasingly being linked to human activities, particularly bush burning and land-clearing practices carried out by residents for farming and other purposes. LEC noted that several electric poles have been burned as a result of these uncontrolled fires, posing a direct threat to the stability of the country’s power supply.
Beyond fire hazards, the Corporation also expressed concern over the growing number of individuals constructing homes, shops, and other structures dangerously close to high-tension transmission lines. In many cases, these developments fall within the restricted four-meter right-of-way corridor, an area designated for safety around power lines.
LEC emphasized that such actions not only violate safety regulations but also expose individuals and communities to life-threatening risks. High-voltage transmission lines, the Corporation warned, must always be treated as live and extremely dangerous, as any unauthorized activity nearby could lead to severe injuries, fatalities, widespread power outages, and costly damage to national infrastructure.
In response, the Corporation is urging residents to immediately cease all unsafe practices around electrical installations. This includes burning bushes near power lines, erecting structures within designated safety zones, and conducting any form of business or social activity beneath or around high-voltage infrastructure.
The warning applies to all counties within LEC’s operational coverage, including Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Rivercess.
LEC is also calling on the public to play an active role in protecting the nation’s power infrastructure by reporting any unsafe or unauthorized activities. Residents are encouraged to contact the Corporation’s Customer Service Hotline at 4500.
The Corporation stressed that safeguarding electrical infrastructure is a shared responsibility, critical not only for public safety but also for ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply across Liberia.
