Liberia’s Vice President, Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr., has called upon all Liberians to unite in addressing the nation’s pressing electricity challenges.
According to a February 8, 2025 release, speaking at the opening session of the National Energy Sector Coordination Retreat, VP Koung emphasized the urgent need to move from theoretical discussions to actionable solutions.
“Liberia’s primary challenge lies in translating what is documented into actionable solutions. It is time for us to collectively find a resolution to our electricity issues,” stated VP Koung during his remarks at Koung’s Farm, where the retreat was held from February 8 to 9, 2025.
The retreat brought together current and former stakeholders in the energy sector, including policymakers, technical experts, and representatives from the private sector, with the objective of developing a practical roadmap to tackle Liberia’s energy challenges.
VP Koung underscored the importance of privatization and the establishment of public-private partnerships in the electricity sector.
He expressed gratitude to Jungle Energy Power for its contributions, highlighting that since 2015, the company has provided stable electricity in Nimba County and other operational areas.
“There have been no power outages under its management, except for instances caused by external factors like fallen trees,” he remarked, emphasizing the significance of tangible contributions. The Vice President also addressed the issue of electricity theft, attributing some challenges to the actions of certain Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) employees.
He stressed the necessity of a practical approach to resolving Liberia’s electricity problems, saying, “We cannot remain dependent on others; we must take responsibility for our energy future.”
The retreat aimed to foster dialogue, assess policy options, and develop a four-year strategic energy plan in alignment with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. Key discussions will focus on Liberia’s transition to sustainable energy, addressing regulatory, investment, and policy challenges.
Leading these discussions were key agencies, including the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Recently, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., President of the Republic of Liberia, issued Executive Order No. 137, amending Executive Order No. 120, to establish a high-level Steering Committee chaired by Vice President Koung.
This committee is tasked with ensuring the successful implementation of the St. Paul River 2nd Hydropower Plant project (SP2) and the Solar Independent Power Producer (IPP), with the government fully supporting these renewable energy initiatives.
