River Gee County | Dec. 18, 2025 | Despite persistent power supply challenges, LibEnergy, operating through the Liberia Electricity Corporation – LEC, has begun the installation of prepaid electricity meters for customers in River Gee County.
Speaking to our reporter in Fish-Town, during the week, LibEnergy Regional Manager Henry Hoge disclosed that over 600 prepaid meters have been delivered to the county, with installation activities already underway across various communities.
According to Hoge, the meter deployment forms part of LibEnergy’s broader strategy to strengthen power accountability, promote transparent billing, and enhance customer service, even as technical challenges continue to affect the system.
He acknowledged that electricity supply along the Pleebo–Fish-Town highway remains unstable, stressing that the current infrastructure cannot sustain a continuous 12-hour power supply.
The Regional Manager attributed these difficulties to substandard electrical installations carried out by a former service partner, which continue to undermine system reliability.
On the issue of cost, Hoge explained that each prepaid meter is priced at US$120, with customers given the option to pay the full amount upfront or enroll in a 13-month installment plan.
Under the installment arrangement, an initial payment of US$8.00 is required and will be deducted from the total cost.
He further announced that LibEnergy office in River Gee County is open to the public from 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, to facilitate metering services and other business transactions.
Despite the ongoing power irregularities, Henry Hoge urged residents to remain patient and cooperative, emphasizing that public support is essential to the success of the meter installation exercise and to the long-term improvement of electricity services in the county.
Importantly, he assured residents that once the meter installation phase is completed, LibEnergy the Liberia Electrity Cooperation will move to standardize and upgrade the existing electricity infrastructure in River Gee.
The next phase, he said, is expected to correct technical deficiencies and gradually improve both the stability and duration of power supply.
Many residents, particularly electricity customers, have voiced dissatisfaction with the ongoing meter installation exercise, describing it as a negative development due to persistent power instability.
While acknowledging that the initiative has the potential to promote fair billing, transparency, and accountability, they remain concerned that unreliable electricity supply undermines its immediate benefits, despite its promise for improved services in the long term.
It be recalled early 2019, a US$31.8 million funding agreement was secured under the Liberia Energy Efficiency Access Project – LEEAP, with support from the African Development Bank – AfDB and the European Union – EU in partnership with the Government of Liberia.
Following the agreement, the government and its partners initiated the installation of power infrastructure, including light poles, leading to the electrification of the corridor from Pleebo in Maryland County to Fish Town in River Gee County.
The project was executed by the Indian firm ALPHA TND LTD, and residents of Fish Town experienced electricity for the first time on July 5, 2023.
The transmission lines constructed under the project now supply electricity to more than 34 communities across southeastern Liberia, serving both private households and public institutions.
LEEAP was a cornerstone initiative of the Weah administration, aligned with the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, aimed at expanding access to reliable and affordable electricity nationwide.
However, the current power challenges in River Gee County stand in contrast to these earlier gains, as many residents continue to experience prolonged outages and inconsistent electricity supply, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and sustained investment.
