By By: Staff Writer
Land expert and public commentator Anthony T. Cole has urged authorities to reconsider the strategy of nighttime electricity enforcement as the Anti-Power Theft Taskforce of the Liberia Electricity Corporation continues targeting illegal connections across Monrovia and surrounding communities.
Speaking during a public engagement, Cole acknowledged the importance of enforcing the law but warned that the approach must reflect Liberia’s economic realities. “Encouraging LEC to go around after midnight to arrest people for power theft, they need to revisit that system and revisit it,” he said, stressing that the strategy could worsen tensions rather than solve the problem.
Cole argued that inconsistent electricity supply remains a central driver of illegal hookups. “The first thing LEC should be doing is to be providing consistent current for the patriotic citizens of this country, not to be going after them for power theft at night,” he added, noting that reliability and affordability are key to compliance.
He further warned that continued aggressive enforcement could have unintended consequences for public order and government property. “I foresee damaging government assets and government spending a lot of money for those things,” Cole cautioned, urging authorities to instead adopt payment plans and service improvements that would encourage voluntary compliance.
Cole concluded that while tackling electricity theft is necessary, long-term success will depend on balancing enforcement with improved service delivery and economic consideration for ordinary citizens.
