Government, Manitoba In LEC Deal

The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy and Liberia Electricity Cooperation or LEC, on Monday, signed a five-year $53.5 million electricity management contract with Manitoba Hydro International Limited of Canada.

The signing ceremony, held at Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy, was done with the acquiescence of the contractors despite their absence due to the volcano eruption which engulfed Europe last week.

According to the contract, Manitoba International Limited will provide access to power oreElectricity for at least 30% of the population of Monrovia by the end of 2015. Manitoba will also manage the system’s expansion as well as the connection of new loads to be made available during the period of the management contract.

For the financial management program, the contractor will also work to ensure that the LEC be given a more modern operational status by the end of the contract in 2015.

In order to facilitate the proper implementation of the management contract, the Government of Liberia would use the Royal Government of Norway’s donation of $10 million United States dollars to directly pay the contractor.

As part of this financial management Electricity program, the Government of Liberia, with assistance from its consultant, the International Finance Corporation or IFC, attracted donor’s contributions to the tone of $43.5 United States dollars.

Donors to the reconstruction process of Liberia, including the Royal Government of Norway, the United States Government, the World Bank and the Output Based Aid/World Bank entered into a bilateral agreement to support the investment plans for the management contract.

Addressing Journalists shortly after the signing ceremony in Monrovia, LEC Managing Director, Joseph A. Mayah said, as a result of this contract, Liberians will enjoy low Electricity tariff as compared to present-day “current bills.”

However, he continued that, the contactors are expected in the Country by June, and would subsequently commence full operations in July of this year.

“In six months time, Manitoba Hydro International Limited will draw and summit a working plan that will subsequently follow the Government’s approval,” Mr. Mayah stressed.

The ceremony was graced by Government officials and representatives of donors, including Lands, Mines and Energy Minister Eugene Shannoh, LEC Manager Joseph Mayah, International Finance Corporation Residence Representative Jamoke Jagun-Dakunmu, as well as Cllr. Thorvald Boyes of the Norwegian Embassy in the Ivory Coast, USAID’s Director Pam White and World Bank Representative, Mr. Ohene.