LEC CEO Attributes Power Outage to Unusual Dry Season
The Chief Executive Officer Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), Monie Captan says the institution has limited resources but has incurred in lots of spending.
According to him, the administration inherited lots of debts as far back during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when now President Joseph Nyumah Boakai was the Vice president of the country, but has made significant efforts in paying their external counterparts, despite limited support from government.
Appearing before the senate committee on Mines and Energy chair by Grand Cape Mount County Senator Simeon Taylor,
Mr. Captan used the occasion to debunked rumors that the power outages are based on the institution failure to pay CI Energie.
He further clarified that the situation is a result of several constraints being faced by its external supplier Ivory Coast, something which noted that has led to Ivory Coast reducing its supply not only to Liberia, butt other countries under its partnership.
He named Mail, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, among other's countries that are affected by the unusual dry season.
Giving the breakdown of the debt incurred by LEC that is yet to be paid, Mr. Captan pointed out that is over twelve million United States dollars has not been paid, with emphasis on cross border debts is twelve million United States dollars and out of that amount, the institution has pay three point seven million United States dollars(3.7) million with the balance of eight point three six seven million(8.3 67) million as Legacy debt.
Narrating further, the head of LEC said transco, he said is for the transmission charges there is bill six point six million United States dollars and the payment of five point six million United States dollars (5.6)M with the balance of Nine hundred and twenty four thousand USD.
The CEO of LEC further stated that CIE company is yet to address and elevate the current situation being faced by the LEC internally, as part of its agreement with the government.
The head of the Liberia Electricity corporation appearance before that august body was triggered by a communication from Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh claiming seeking the indulgence of his colleagues summon the Boss Monie Captan and the Liberia Electricity Regulatory commission to give updates on the ongoing power outage being experienced by Liberians.
Also speaking on the status of the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC), the chairman Dr. Lawrence D. Sekajipo is calling on the government to fund the energy sector of the country
According to him, inorder to address power outages, there should be support from within that will help the sector stand on its own and not depend on external help.
LERC boss said the energy sector stands at risk if it can not support itself internally adding that when there's no money, the sector will fail.
Dr. Sekajipo noted that the sector can not provide electricity without water. Therefore, the government should create avenues that will attract independent power providers in order to buttress their efforts domestically.
What's Your Reaction?
