What appears to be a non-compliance posture by LIBENERGY has been unearthed by the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission. (LERC).
Consequently, the Commission has denied LIBENERGY’s request for an extension of the end-user tariff application and further directed it to submit all requested documentation.
Dr. Lawrence D. Sekajipo, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners told a news conference on Wednesday, 19 June in Monrovia, that LERC will only commence the tariff application process if LIBENEREGY provides the needed papers by 31 July 2024.
LIBERNERGY, Inc. is a Joint Venture company contracted by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) to distribute electricity being supplied to south-eastern Liberia power from Cote d’Ivoire.
Dr. Sekajipo also mandated the electricity distributor to also present a comprehensive smart plan within 10 working days on how it will address technical issues and recommendations contained in the technical inspection report conducted by the Commission.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners of LERC, Sekajipo requested LIBENERGY to begin the metering of customers within its service areas, stressing that “Failure to meter customers is a violation of the Customer Service and Quality of Supply Regulations, which mandates that a customer cannot be unmetered for more than six months.”
He ordered company to restore power to the Deanna Kay Isaacson School of Midwifery in Zwedru City, Grand Gedeh.
According to him, December 2023 the LERC licensed LIBERNERGY, Inc. to distribute electricity being supplied to south-eastern Liberia power from Cote d’Ivoire.
“As part of their licensing requirements, LIBENERGY Inc., is required to comply with the terms and conditions of its license. As a follow up to these terms and conditions, an inspection was required. In April and May 2024, the Technical Regulations Directorate conducted a month-long inspection of electricity distribution services being provided by LIBENERGY in parts of Nimba (Tappita), Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland counties,” he disclosed.
Sekajipo explained that the inspection was done to identify obvious structural problems and hazards such as leaning power poles, damaged equipment enclosures, and vandalism.
He further indicated that the inspection was intended to work with licensed service provider in the development of a compliance plan to cure problems identified during the inspection and ensure that appropriate follow-up and corrective action is taken regarding problems identified during the inspection.
He told journalists that during the inspection, there were huge vegetation under existing 33kV medium voltage lines, the lack of protection of transformers and provision of safe means of isolation for maintenance and operations.
“Damaged lightning arresters and bypassed fuses, lack of light poles, spare parts and materials for construction of low voltage distribution network. Lack of auto reclosers on the 33kV medium voltage lines,” he frowned.
He said during the inspection exercise, energy accounting is not prioritized and executed with transparency.
