The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Authority (LERC) has issued a strong warning against power theft and urged citizens to discontinue the practice of making unauthorized payments to technicians of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). The authority described power theft as a major obstacle that continues to cripple the national energy sector and delay efforts to expand reliable and affordable electricity across the country.
Speaking at a community engagement in Margibi County, LERC Commissioner Amara Quardu Muhammad Kamara condemned the growing habit of citizens paying LEC workers for services already funded by the government and the corporation. He emphasized that such payments are not only unnecessary but also contribute to corrupt practices that weaken electricity delivery. Commissioner Kamara, addressing residents, declared, “Do not give them a dime. They are being paid. Don’t pay LEC people for light poles, transformers, wires, labor.
They have been contracted to do their job and provided all the materials to work for us.” He added that it is not the responsibility of communities to finance wires, transformers, poles, or labor, stressing that any technician demanding money is acting outside the scope of legal operations. He cautioned that those who decide to pay for illegal services do so at their own risk and become participants in criminal activity. Kamara encouraged the public to report anyone involved in power theft or soliciting unauthorized charges. He assured residents that whistleblowers will remain anonymous and that action will be taken against offenders.
According to him, community participation is essential as the government works to stabilize the electricity market and expand functional access to power across Liberia. Meanwhile, the Liberia Electricity Corporation is continuing its intensified crackdown on power theft, which it says has caused severe revenue losses and equipment damage over the years. Illegal connections, meter bypassing, and unauthorized network alterations are classified as felonies under Liberian law and pose significant safety risks, including electrocution, fires, and system failures.
In response, the LEC has established an Anti-Power Theft Task Force in partnership with the Liberia National Police to investigate and dismantle illegal connections. This task force has already uncovered thousands of unauthorized hookups and is working to convert offenders into legal customers through proper meter installations. The corporation is also urging the public to report suspected power theft through confidential channels, including a secure online form on its official website. According to LEC, minimizing power theft is crucial to improving the reliability of electricity nationwide.
Illegal connections reduce the company’s revenue and hinder its ability to upgrade networks, expand service areas, and reduce load shedding. The LEC’s Acting Managing Director has also stressed that curbing power theft is vital for achieving long-term stability and making electricity more affordable for all Liberians. Both LERC and LEC are calling on the public to remain vigilant, reject illegal payments, and support national efforts to protect and strengthen the electricity sector.
Author: Zac T. Sherman
