IN Writing

The fight against power theft is both necessary and justified. Every responsible citizen understands that illegal electricity connections deprive the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) of much-needed revenue, threaten public safety, and undermine efforts to expand access to electricity across the country. No nation can build a sustainable energy sector while tolerating widespread electricity theft.

However, as Liberia intensifies its campaign against illegal connections, a growing number of citizens are raising concerns about the manner in which anti-power-theft operations are being conducted. The issue is no longer whether power theft should be addressed; rather, it is whether the methods being employed are fair, transparent, and respectful of the rights of ordinary citizens.

Across Monrovia and its surrounding communities, many residents believe that the current approach places disproportionate emphasis on punishment while neglecting customer service, infrastructure maintenance, and consumer protection. The result is a growing sense of frustration and dissatisfaction among customers who depend on electricity for their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

It has been widely reported that even customers who regularly purchase electricity credits and maintain records of their meter recharges have found themselves affected during anti-power-theft operations. According to accounts from affected residents, electrical wires are often cut during enforcement exercises, leaving households in complete darkness regardless of whether they can demonstrate a history of regular payments.

The consequences can be devastating. Once disconnected, many citizens report facing significant challenges in restoring service. Instead of simply reconnecting customers whose compliance can be verified, some claim they are required to go through lengthy administrative processes, purchase new meters, or incur additional expenses before electricity can be restored.

Equally concerning are reports regarding the treatment of individuals suspected of violating electricity regulations. Residents have alleged that some individuals are transported to facilities on Duport Road where they are photographed, questioned, and subjected to lengthy delays before their cases are resolved. Some complain of spending entire days, and in certain cases weeks, attempting to regain access to a service that is essential to modern life.

Questions have also emerged regarding the financial implications of these enforcement exercises. Citizens have alleged that under special operations associated with LEC, some affected customers have been required to pay as much as US$150 to regain access to electricity services, an amount significantly higher than the standard for a single-phase meter metering costs of US$70 generally associated with LEC services. These allegations have fueled public demands for greater transparency regarding penalties, reconnection procedures, and customer rights.

My own experience reflects the concerns being voiced by many Liberians. During an operation conducted by the Power Theft Team, electrical wiring connected to my premises was cut into pieces. Those pieces remain scattered throughout my yard as visible evidence of what occurred. As I write this article, my compound remains in complete darkness.

The experience has been deeply distressing. Beyond the inconvenience of losing electricity, there is the emotional burden of uncertainty, the financial burden of replacing damaged materials, and the frustration of navigating a process that often appears more punitive than corrective. No citizen should be left feeling abandoned by the very institution established to provide a vital public service.

What makes these concerns even more troubling is the perception among many citizens that enforcement efforts are receiving greater attention than infrastructure maintenance. While teams are actively deployed to identify illegal connections, communities continue to grapple with aging distribution networks, damaged transformers, low voltage, service interruptions, and delayed repairs.

Customer satisfaction cannot be achieved through enforcement alone. It requires a balanced approach that combines accountability with service delivery. Citizens expect LEC not only to identify violations but also to maintain infrastructure, communicate effectively, respond promptly to complaints, and ensure that innocent customers are not unfairly affected by enforcement activities.

Experiences from other countries demonstrate that successful anti-power-theft campaigns are built upon transparency, due process, and strong customer engagement. Utilities that effectively combat electricity theft do so while protecting consumer rights and maintaining public confidence. Liberia should aspire to the same standard.

The growing dissatisfaction among citizens should not be interpreted as opposition to the fight against power theft. Rather, it is a call for fairness, professionalism, and accountability. Customers are more likely to support enforcement measures when they are treated with dignity, informed of their rights, and provided with clear avenues for appeal and redress.

Lec Liberia has an opportunity to rebuild public trust by improving communication, strengthening customer engagement, conducting thorough investigations before taking drastic action, and ensuring that enforcement teams operate with professionalism and respect for due process. The corporation should also establish transparent procedures for addressing complaints, restoring service, and compensating customers where operational errors result in unnecessary hardship. Electricity is more than a commodity. It is a public service that powers homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, and economic opportunities. Every effort must therefore be made to ensure that the fight against power theft does not inadvertently punish legitimate customers or erode public confidence in Liberia’s energy sector.

As Liberia continues its journey toward greater electrification and national development, customer trust must remain at the center of energy sector reforms. The lights of progress cannot shine brightly where citizens feel neglected, unheard, or unfairly treated.

The message from the public is simple and reasonable: fight power theft, but do so with fairness, transparency, and respect for the people you serve. Anything less risks turning a legitimate enforcement campaign into a source of public resentment and dissatisfaction.