Image TV

By: David Arbar Sewarlu
dsewarlu@gmil.com
+231886632525/+231775954545

Kakata, Margibi County – The Liberia Electricity Corporation’s (LEC) latest crackdown on power theft in Kakata has left at least 26 people behind bars, but the operation is stirring broader conversations about access, affordability, and accountability in Liberia’s electricity sector.

The arrests, carried out Friday morning by the LEC Power Theft Task Force, targeted households and businesses accused of making illegal connections to the national grid. Authorities say the practice is costing the corporation millions in losses annually, damaging equipment, and undermining efforts to deliver stable electricity nationwide.

While officials insist those arrested will be investigated and prosecuted under the country’s electricity laws, some residents argue that the problem goes beyond individual wrongdoing. Several community members interviewed expressed frustration over high electricity costs and delays in securing legal connections, saying these barriers often drive desperate citizens to illegal hookups.

“This is not about people wanting to break the law,” one resident, who asked not to be named, told reporters. “The system is slow, the fees are high, and people need light for their homes and businesses.”

In response, LEC has maintained that no excuse justifies power theft, warning that the corporation cannot sustain operations if illegal connections continue unchecked. The company has promised to improve customer service and expand affordable access, while at the same time vowing to prosecute violators without fear or favor.

The arrests in Kakata mark the latest in a series of enforcement operations, highlighting the growing tension between citizens’ demand for reliable, affordable electricity and the corporation’s struggle to protect its infrastructure and revenue base.