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Liberia: Thieves Hampering LEC Works
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The Analyst (Monrovia)
29 April 2008
Posted to the web 29 April 2008
The Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) said efforts aimed at electrifying the City of Monrovia and its environs continues to be stalled by unrestrained theft.
In a statement issued yesterday, the management of LEC said it is making "available street lightings in strategic areas and other institutions in the capital, for the enhancement of security, beautification and economic stimulation."
LEC said: This laudable electricity restoration effort is, unfortunately, being undermined by some unscrupulous individuals who are in the constant habit of cutting conductors, feeders and lighting fixtures, thereby plunging the city in darkness intermittently at various points."
The statement quoted the LEC as saying that as a result of the frequent theft on the Gabriel Tucker Bridge it (LEC) recently removed damaged aluminum poles and replaced them with high and relatively new galvanized poles, placing them in full public view to deter criminals.
LEC said following the first bridge lighting exercise held under the Emergency Power Program (EPP), on five different occasions, the bridge lighting facility has been tampered by the removal of feeder conductors.
"In early December 2006, LEC expended the amount of US$1,125.00 to purchase the required electrical materials and accessories to implement street lighting replacement on the Gabriel Tucker Bridge to enhance night time security for pedestrians and motorist using the bridge," LEC said in the statement.
LEC said it has to expend additional funds ( US$555.00 - US$1000) as replacement cost for stolen items, anytime damage is done. "Similar theft in February 2007 cost the LEC US$860.00 to replace cut and removed street lights feeders," it is said.
It said not only are these criminals endangering the security of night time users of the bridge, but these criminals have extended their nefarious activities to the Broad Street Beautification Project.
The electricity supply was restored when LEC undertook the installation of Christmas lighting and the rehabilitation of street lighting on Broad Street, this time using the overhead feeders so as to avert the frequent theft of electrical materials,"
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LEC said this situation has led to the halting of further installation of ground conductors on the new poles pending a remedy. LEC has meanwhile disclosed that it will not relent in its effort to create public awareness and to prosecute those found tampering with LEC facilities.
LEC is also appealing to the government and the national security apparatus to take prompt and immediate action to curtail the activities of unscrupulous individuals stealing the corporation's facilities, as this ugly act has the propensity to undermine efforts being made by the government and the international community to revitalize the electricity sector of the nation.
It called on the general public to be vigilant and report malfeasance tampering or vandalizing the Corporation's facilities to the nearest security agency.
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