Published: November 3, 2025
YARPAH TOWN, River Cess — Residents of River Cess are calling on the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) to revise the proposed electricity tariffs and connection fees, describing them as unaffordable for rural dwellers.
The appeal was made Friday during a public hearing on the proposed electricity tariff review, organized by the LERC at the Yarpah Town Hall. The event brought together community members, local government officials, business owners, and representatives of both the LEC and LERC, as part of the Commission’s ongoing nationwide consultations on power pricing.
Resident Circuit Judge D. Onesimus Banwon led the call for affordability, recommending that the electricity tariff be reduced from 15 cents to 13 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to lessen the financial pressure on households and small businesses. The judge also warned citizens against electricity theft, stressing that such acts could derail national development efforts and invite legal penalties.
During the discussions, George Tawala, representing the LEC, disclosed that customers who wish to acquire meters after the completion of the rural electrification project will be required to pay US$84. The announcement drew concern from residents, including Alexander Gbedia, who appealed for a downward adjustment, citing the low-income realities faced by most River Cess families.
Speaking on behalf of local authorities, Janjay Zodehgar, Commissioner of the Yarpah Town Township, thanked the government and the LEC for bringing electricity to River Cess for the first time. He, however, urged the authorities to ensure that the service remains both accessible and sustainable.
The public hearing falls under LERC’s legal mandate to engage consumers in setting electricity rates, in accordance with Section 13.7 of the 2015 Electricity Law of Liberia, the Electricity Tariff Regulations of May 2021, and the Administrative Procedure Regulations of September 2020.
For many residents, the event was not only historic but also deeply symbolic. After decades in darkness, River Cess is now connected to the national grid — but for many, the hope of reliable power will only be meaningful if it remains within reach of their incomes.
“We welcome the light,” A. Trokon Brown, a resident of Yarpah Town said“but it should not come with darkness in our pockets.”
Understanding Liberia’s Electricity Tariff Review
The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) is responsible for setting and reviewing electricity tariffs nationwide. The process ensures that rates are fair to both consumers and service providers while allowing for the financial sustainability of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
Under Section 13.7 of the 2015 Electricity Law, any change in tariff must follow a public consultation process, allowing citizens to express concerns before rates are finalized.
The Electricity Tariff Regulations (2021) outline how costs are calculated, considering fuel prices, maintenance, infrastructure, and service delivery challenges.
Since 2020, LERC has been conducting regional consultations — from Monrovia to rural counties — to make electricity pricing more transparent and participatory. The River Cess hearing forms part of that effort, as the country expands access to power through donor-funded rural electrification projects.
However, affordability remains a central challenge. With most rural residents earning below the national poverty line, many fear that even the current proposed rates may place electricity beyond their reach.
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