LERC Enlightens Journalists on Accurate Reportage of Electricity Framework Execution

Monrovia, Liberia: The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has ended a day-long capacity building workshop with scores of journalists aimed at ensuring accurate reportage on electricity regulations across the country.

The workshop held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 in Monrovia, focused on tracking the implementation of Liberia’s Electricity Regulatory Framework and enhancing public understanding.

Speaking at the event, LERC's Chairman Claude J. Katta, said the training will help shape how the media report on basic operations of the Commission including to determine and approve electricity tariffs in Liberia.

He noted that misleading reports generally have affected the commission's operations and left citizens stagnant to comply with electricity regulations.

The Commission, as an independent regulatory body, is responsible for issuance of licenses, setting cost-reflective tariffs, and ensuring compliance across the sector.

Chairman Katta described the media as a key partner in raising awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities, and building confidence in ongoing reform efforts within the electricity sector.

Chairman Katta said the engagement will now equip media practitioners on disseminating reports that draw compliance and attract further resource generation for the entity.

He expressed the Commission's willingness to remain open to the media and provide timely information to promote transparency and combat what he called misinformation relating to electricity services, customer complaints, and tariffs structure.

Also speaking during the engagement, LERC's Managing Director Augustus V. Goanue, underscored several reform efforts implemented by the entity.

He highlighted that LERC has overseen a reduction in the average electricity tariff from US$0.35 per kilowatt-hour to US$0.21 per kilowatt-hour.

Director Goanue furthered that the Commission has issued 10 licenses and permits to operators, including the Liberia Electricity Corporation, JEP, TEC, LIBENERGY, and Energicity, as part of efforts to encourage private sector participation and support regional mini-grid expansion.

According to him, the Commission has also developed and published 16 regulatory instruments, including the Electricity Licensing Regulations, Customer Service and Quality of Supply Regulations, and the national Grid Code.

He added that the latest Electricity Regulatory Index by the African Development Bank ranked LERC 9th out of 43 electricity regulators across Africa.

Augustus V. Goanue at the same time stressed that ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority has also recognized Liberia’s regulatory framework as a “best practice” model within West Africa.

Meanwhile, in attendance, officials from the Technical Regulations Directorate emphasized that electricity regulation directly impacts the daily experiences of consumers through improved billing systems, metering, supply reliability, and voltage quality.

The Directorate disclosed that active inspectorate operations are ongoing across several counties, including Bomi, Margibi, Cape Mount, Montserrado, Bong, and Nimba, supported by newly deployed regional compliance electrical engineers.

Officials said ongoing initiatives, including the implementation of an Inspection Manual and upcoming certification regulations for electrical professionals, are aimed at improving public safety and ensuring compliance with national electrical standards.

The workshop brought together journalists, officials from the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission, and sector stakeholders among others.