By Amos Harris
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has broken ground for a major electricity expansion project targeting Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount Counties, renewing his administration’s promise to extend development beyond Monrovia. However, the initiative faces high expectations regarding timely implementation, transparency, and improved power access for underserved communities.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Commissioner Compound in Clay, Bomi County, where President Boakai declared that no county would be left in the dark. Designed to address years of energy exclusion in rural areas, the project will extend Liberia’s national electricity grid from Tubmanburg to Bopolu City in Gbarpolu County, connecting communities along the corridor. Additional transmission infrastructure will run from Sawmill in Gbarpolu County to Lofa Bridge, while lines will also reach Kinjor and surrounding areas in Grand Cape Mount County.
Project specifications indicate that approximately 7,033 households, schools, clinics, and businesses will benefit, impacting an estimated 35,165 residents. The scope encompasses the construction of 101 kilometers of 33-kilovolt overhead distribution lines and 86 kilometers of secondary distribution networks across 18 towns. According to the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the expansion is funded entirely through internal resources and will be executed by 12 Liberian contractors across 14 project lots. While presented as a major milestone, long-term success will depend on effective execution, routine maintenance, and service affordability for rural residents.
Highlighting power as essential to agriculture, education, healthcare, public safety, and economic growth, President Boakai noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the Mission 300 National Energy Compact target of 75 percent national electricity access by 2030. He reaffirmed the administration’s ambition to manufacture transformers locally and commended the LEC Board, management, and staff for mobilizing resources. The President disclosed that the utility currently serves more than 400,000 customers and continues to expand its reach.
Despite the celebration, President Boakai cautioned that the ceremony must translate into tangible results, warning LEC officials and contractors against delays and sub-standard work. Demanding strict accountability for public resources, he emphasized that every dollar invested must be fully accounted for. He called on legislative caucuses, county superintendents, and local authorities to assist LEC by securing rights-of-way and keeping residents informed throughout construction.
Furthermore, the President urged communities to safeguard the new infrastructure against vandalism, cable theft, and illegal connections. He reminded consumers of their obligation to pay utility bills to sustain operations and fund future expansion, while acknowledging the ongoing need to ensure tariffs remain fair for economically vulnerable households.
In closing, President Boakai stated that the project underscores a broader commitment to ensuring that geographical location does not dictate access to basic infrastructure or economic opportunity. High-profile attendees at the ceremony included LEC Managing Director Mohammed Sherif, Senate Energy Committee Chairman Edwin Melvin Snowe, Bomi County Legislative Caucus Chairman Senator J. Alex Tyler, and Bomi County Superintendent Sam Zinnah.
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