The Management of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has presented briefing notes containing the present activities and its future plans to increase the capacity of power delivery to the inhabitants of Monrovia by the end of 2010, to the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy and Environment, Senator Richard B. Devine.  The presentation was made by LEC's Acting Managing Director Joseph T. Mayah during a courtesy call by Senators Devine of Bomi County and Gbezonga Finely of Grand Bassa County, also a member on the Senate Committee to acquaint themselves with operations at the corporation.

In his briefing, Mr. Mayah told the Senators that beyond the Emergency Power Program (EPP), plans are under way to install a 10MW diesel plant at Bushrod Island and that further discussions are on-going to increase generation to about 30MW with Independent Power Producers.  As part of the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) regional energy program, the LEC through the Government of Liberia, according to Mr. Mayah, will benefit from the West African Power Pool (WAPP) following the construction of a transmission line to be operated at 225kV to interconnect Liberia, Sierra Lone and Guinea through the network of  La Cote d'Ivoire.

He informed the Senators that the Government of Liberia has established within the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy (LM&E) the Rural Renewal Energy Agency (RREA), with the mandate to provide affordable alternative energy to Rural Communities and is presently located at the LEC.   Mr. Mayah also pointed out to the Senate Committee members that the Government of Liberia through the LM&E in addition has completed the National Energy Policy (NEP) Document for Liberia and the NEP has been approved by the Cabinet and pending Legislative enactment of certain portions that require legislation.  He thanked the Government of Norway for providing a grant of US12.6 million dollars for the expansion of the distribution network that will interconnect all four power stations that are presently running in the network. The project will expand the LEC distribution network to Gardnerville, Bushrod Island, Old Road, Capitol Hill, Sinkor etc.    The LEC Acting MD likewise disclosed in his briefing that the Government of Liberia, with donation from the Norwegian Government is concluding arrangements to implement a Management Contract for the LEC, having a period of five years to rebuild the capacity of the Corporation for improved efficiency in power generation, transmission and distribution including financial management and general administration efficiency.           

Responding, Senator Richard Devine thanked Mr. Mayah and staff including Mr. Varmunyah Sherif, Acting Deputy Managing Director for Administration and Mr. Andrew Dean, Acting Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services, for providing what he referred to as detailed information on what is happening in the country's energy sector and the challenges the LEC is faced with in undertaking its mandate to provide electricity to the people of Liberia.