Liberia sets penalty for electricity theft offenders

The Front Page Africa reported that Sirleaf revealed this while speaking in a meeting that was attended by community leaders of the SKD 72nd Community, in Montserrado County.

Sirleaf is reported to have highlighted that power theft is a growing trend that is affecting the revenue generation capacity of the power utility.

She said: “We are working to improve governance of the electricity sector, but the activities of unscrupulous individuals are of grave concern. By-passing of our [electricity] meters, third party connections and meter tempering are on an alarming increase.”

Sirleaf added that: “These activities undermine the generation of revenues and consequently hamper our ability to expand our services.”

Electricity theft- repercussions

Sirleaf also underlined the dangers of electricity theft to individuals involved in it and the end users. She said scores of young Liberians have lost their lives while engaging in power theft, media reported.

Sirleaf encouraged the community dwellers to partner with the LEC in helping to improve the system, assuring them that the power utility, through its commercial department was doing everything to further improve on its services.

“I can assure you that things have started to change. We are doing everything possible to respond to our valued customers in time. Our customers are our greatest assets, and I can assure you that we will do all we can to improve the quality of service we provide,” Sirleaf said.

LEC recently launched a community engagement campaign to improve its relationship with customers and the public and to raise awareness about the dangers of electricity theft and the need to combat the phenomenon, media reported.

The campaign, is reported was launched in July in Clara Town, and is said to have already been extended to other communities including Fiamah, Matadi, Gbangay Town, Lakpazee, Key Hole, Chugbor and Pagos Island.