The Joseph Nyuma Administration is prioritizing the electrification of thousands of homes across the country as a means of fostering development and for security purpose.
In his State of the Nation Adress yesterday, President Boakai disclosed that the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) has been returned to its statutory structure. He disclosed that the Corporation successfully negotiated additional electricity imports from Cote d'Ivoire and reduced electricity tariffs for Bong and Nimba Counties.
According to the Liberian leader, construction of a 20-megawatt solar power plant in Harrisburg, Montserrado County, began in 2024. He noted that this project is expected to be completed by October 2025. President Boakai added, "Our plan is to electrify 100,000 households every year using both grid and renewable energy sources. Our goal is to achieve a 75% access rate by 2030 and eliminate the existing urban-rural disparity. We believe that energy access is essential for unlocking opportunities in agriculture, roads, education, healthcare, and tourism.
Comenting on the agriculture sector, Pres. Boakai described the sector as a path to prosperity. He added that Liberia has immense potential for large-scale agriculture that will create jobs, feed our people, and strengthen our economy. However, he noted that this vital sector has not received the attention it deserves.
"Over the past year, we have taken significant steps to advance agriculture and enhance self-sufficiency. To help reduce our reliance on rice imports, we cultivated over 4,000 hectares of rice. This year, we aim to double our efforts by cultivating an additional 6,000 hectares," he added.
Boakai furthered, "We are constructing five mechanization centers in Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba counties to enable farmers to access essential machinery for improved production. Progress is underway in mechanizing cassava cultivation, aimed at both consumption and starch export."
"We have directed substantial support towards cocoa and oil palm production, resulting in over 10,000 hectares of cocoa cultivation and investments in palm oil agribusiness. We are also in the process of establishing a palm and vegetable oil refinery to meet the demands of commercial production. My Administration has increased the agricultural budget by over 200% compared to previous years," President Boakai noted.
He said his national agriculture plan highlights the value chain, with dedicated funding to enhance agribusiness and create jobs. "To combat food insecurity and support vulnerable populations, we have launched the Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey to assess food security in our communities."
President Boakai noted among other things that, "To foster innovation and growth in the agricultural sector, we successfully hosted the National Agriculture Fair in Kakata, Margibi County, which will now be reactivated as an annual event, with the next one scheduled in Nimba County in 2025."