IPNews-Monrovia-Liberia-Wednesday 30 January 2019: President George Manneh Weah, says the government of Liberia will in the coming days declare ‘power theft as an ‘Economic Sabotage, crime.
The Liberian leader addressing the 54th joint session of the Legislature on Monday, January 28, 2019, stated that government revenue collection which amounted for about 40% from generated load, has fallen dramatically due to power theft.
President Weah said while power theft accounts for about 49% and technical losses accounts for 12%.
He said that there has not been a change in tariff for electricity supply which may not change until the problem of power theft is addressed through a policy reform.

“Statistics showed that 10 % of power theft will cost the Liberia Electricity Corporation $8 million United States dollars annually.” “Today, because of the increase in illegal connections, the LEC is losing in excess of $35 million United States dollars per year to electricity theft.” President Weah told members of the 54th Legislature.
The Liberian leader speaking further stated that the huge losses is preventing LEC from extending supply to many areas of the country where citizens are crying out for electricity.
He said It’s also preventing LEC from offering connections to many businesses, who in turn could offer much-needed employment opportunities to many Liberians.
President Weah Cautioned: “ Power Theft is illegal, and sabotages the economy of our country.”
“I appeal to you, my fellow Liberians, to stop this behavior of power theft NOW!!”
The Liberian chief executive call on all to remain collectively engaged in putting to an end of power theft which he termed as a ‘dangerous crim.
“Let us work together to put an end to this dangerous crime and help LEC generate more revenue to expand its services to other communities and connect more citizens for the greater good of Liberia.” President stated.
President George Manneh Weah further assured members of the joint Legislature that the government of Liberia has already put in place measures to ensuring power theft is stop.
He named measures such as providing the Ministry of Justice with additional funding to work in coordination with the Judiciary to fast track power theft cases; Drafted a Bill to be forwarded to the Legislature that would make power theft an economic crime; Began a rigorous implementation of mass disconnections of illegal connections and encouraging homes to legitimize their connections and the enhancement of LEC community outreach as Joint Stakeholders engagement to protecting against illegal connections which result in damage transformers.
The Liberian leader also state that currently the Liberia Electricity Cooperation (LEC) has been able to increase its supply out, the demand for electricity also increased but there were still challenges as there are insufficient transformers and overload leading to several communities physically demanding service, sometimes resulting in demonstrations in some communities.
He reassured citizens that the able technicians of LEC were able to mitigate some of the problems by introducing new transformers where needed and replacing damaged overload transformers.
In a related development, the Liberian leader has expressed gratitude to the Management of the LEC and its partners for connecting more than 8000 new household, including 324 new commercial connections, with 80 new large users added and in the process is continuing.