By Ben TC Brooks
River Gee County — The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has concluded a day-long public hearing on a proposed electricity tariff submitted by LIBENERGY, drawing a broad cross-section of stakeholders to Fish Town.
The hearing, held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Fish Town Community Hall, brought together county authorities, development partners, members of the business community, and residents. The forum aimed to promote transparency and gather public input on planned adjustments to electricity pricing.
In his opening remarks, LERC Board Chairman Claude J. Katta emphasized the importance of public participation in shaping national energy policies. He reaffirmed the Commission’s statutory mandate to regulate Liberia’s electricity sector, ensuring fairness, accountability, and efficient service delivery.
LIBENERGY Regional Manager Henry G. Hodge presented a detailed overview of the tariff proposal, outlining its key components and the rationale behind the suggested changes.
The presentation was followed by an interactive session, during which participants raised concerns about persistent electricity challenges, particularly the reliability and stability of power supply in the county.
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Hodge, along with Grand Gedeh County Manager Jerry Karr and Liberia Electricity Corporation Distribution Manager Eric A.B. Fredericks, acknowledged ongoing service issues affecting residents. They highlighted interventions currently underway to improve electricity access and pledged to work toward stable and reliable power supply across the region by 2030.
The officials also urged residents to remain patient and refrain from protests or legal action while reforms are being implemented.
Despite these assurances, many residents expressed dissatisfaction with LIBENERGY’s performance, citing poor service delivery and what they described as systemic inefficiencies. Some participants noted that a significant number of communities in Fish Town —reportedly more than 26 —remain without electricity years after LIBENERGY began operations in River Gee County.
The hearing highlighted growing public frustration, alongside a unified call for improved service delivery, greater transparency, and equitable access to electricity throughout the county.
