LERC Discloses Plans To Install Meters At Homes In Grand Gedeh County

By Paul G Rancy Grand Gedeh County

The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has disclosed plans to work collaboratively with LIBEnergy to install prepaid meters in homes in Grand Gedeh County.

Making the disclosure on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, in a stakeholder’s discussion in Zwedru, the Director of Technical Regulations at the LERC Mr. Abu Decontee Sanso, revealed that the meters will be registered in the name of property owners, and each meter will cost US$130.00 to be paid by installments in 13 months.

Sanso added that property owners will identify locations for installation and only identified staff of LIBEnergy along with property owners will assess the meter.

He narrated that customers will get credits from identified vendors that will operate six days weekly to provide ample time to purchase credit.

The LERC official further disclosed that the usage of prepaid meters will end the period of payment bills using flat rate.

“This system will ensure prompt payment, and reduce the over US$10 million Liberia owed to Ivory Coast over the years,” Sanso noted.

For his part, Nunudeh Johnson, the Tariff Economist at LERC informed the citizens in attendance that customers will pay US$0.25 per kilowatt hour.

Meanwhile, citizens of Grand Gedeh County have lauded the LERC and LIBEnergy for the new development.

The citizens recommended  that the LERC reduce the cost of meter from US$130.00 to US$60.00 and reduce the tariff from US$0.25 to US$0.15 due to what they termed as “low economic status” of electricity users.

Additionally, electricity users in Grand Gedeh County also recommended the expansion of coverage in the county aimed at fostering growth and development in the county.

Responding to the recommendations from the electricity users in the county, the LERC team assured the public to work with LIBEnergy in addressing key issues affecting regular supply of electricity in the county.

The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission was established as an autonomous electricity industry regulator under the electricity law 2015, which established a new legal and regulatory framework for the sector.

Its function, as regulator, is to issue licenses, approve tariffs, ensure liberalization of the sector, improve service delivery, protect consumers and create a vibrant electricity sector.