By Ben T.C. Brooks
Residents of Fish Town City on Monday staged a major protest against the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LIBENERGY), citing the prolonged absence of reliable electricity in River Gee County.
The demonstration escalated into a temporary shutdown of the Maryland–Grand Gedeh highway, as protesters mounted roadblocks that brought vehicular and commercial traffic to a standstill for several hours.
Residents accused LIBENERGY of repeatedly failing to address persistent power outages despite multiple appeals, arguing that the crisis has disrupted daily life and severely affected economic activities in the county. Traders, shop owners, and service providers said unreliable electricity has forced many businesses to scale back operations or shut down entirely.
Leading the protest, Isaiah Komoh Nyenpan, Coordinator of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), River Gee Chapter, said the roadblock was intended to compel county authorities and LIBENERGY officials to respond urgently.
“This action is to remind our leaders that electricity is a basic necessity for the people of Fish Town,” Nyenpan said. “We want our petition received and immediate steps taken.”
Protesters issued a 48-hour ultimatum in a formal petition submitted to county officials and LIBENERGY representatives, demanding swift intervention by the national government to restore stable electricity to the county. The petition emphasized that reliable power is essential for economic growth, job creation, and social development.
Businesswoman Mary Dopoh, owner of Dopoh’s Restaurant, said several local businesses have collapsed due to the unstable power supply. She warned that continued inaction could lead to further shutdowns, including public offices.
LIBENERGY’s River Gee County Head of Office, Nyanfor Toe, along with County Administrator Alex Hinnneh, who represented the Office of the Superintendent, received the petition and thanked residents for their peaceful conduct. They appealed for the removal of the roadblocks and assured protesters that the concerns would be addressed promptly.
T.S. Marcus Sokro, Chief of Office Staff for Electoral District Two, also urged calm and law-abiding behavior, promising to forward the issue to Representative Isaac Boy Choloplay Wou for discussion at the House of Representatives.
The protest, conducted under heavy security presence, drew broad participation from women, youths, business owners, motorcyclists, students, and elderly residents from Fish Town and surrounding communities. Observers described it as the first large-scale, organized public protest in River Gee County focused on persistent electricity instability.
Participants said unreliable power continues to undermine businesses, education, healthcare delivery, and livelihoods, stressing that stable electricity is critical for development and improved living standards in the county.
