By Jamesetta D Williams
The Liberian government is thumping progress it claimed is being made in expanding electricity access, creating employment opportunities, strengthening public services, and advancing key development projects across the country.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah highlighted a series of initiatives underway in the energy, agriculture, public health, infrastructure, and governance sectors.
Among the government’s key achievements, Piah pointed to ongoing electrification efforts being carried out by the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). He noted that communities in Gbarnga and other parts of the country are beginning to see improvements in electricity access, with utility poles already installed and household connections expected to commence soon.
According to the minister, many residents will gain access to reliable electricity for the first time in decades, creating new opportunities for businesses, students, and households. He also announced the completion of a 20-megawatt solar power plant at Mount Coffee and the restoration of a damaged turbine at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, returning the facility to its full 88-megawatt generating capacity.
Piah said the additional power generation will help increase electricity access nationwide while supporting schools, healthcare facilities, businesses, and residential communities.
In the agriculture sector, the government has launched a 20-year partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and JR Farms Group aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s coffee industry. The initiative is expected to benefit more than 200,000 farmers, develop approximately 250,000 hectares of coffee plantations, and create more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The government also provided an update on efforts to assist Liberians stranded in Colombia. According to Piah, 38 Liberians have already received immigration waivers and authorization to depart the South American country, while several others have been successfully repatriated. He clarified that reports suggesting Liberians were being detained in Colombia are inaccurate, noting that the primary challenge remains a lack of financial resources for travel.
Meanwhile, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, in collaboration with national and international health partners, has launched a five-day Ebola Virus Disease preparedness assessment in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, and Maryland counties. The exercise is intended to strengthen surveillance systems and improve cross-border coordination with neighboring Guinea.
Piah further disclosed that the Liberia Revenue Authority and South Korea’s National Tax Service have signed three cooperation agreements focused on tax information exchange, tax recovery, and capacity building. The agreements are expected to strengthen tax administration, improve compliance, and support the modernization of Liberia’s revenue collection system.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Works has announced temporary restrictions on heavy-duty vehicles exceeding 25 metric tons along selected primary road corridors during the rainy season. The measure, which takes effect on July 31, aims to protect critical road infrastructure from damage caused by overloaded vehicles during periods of heavy rainfall.
According to the government, these initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to improving service delivery, expanding economic opportunities, and accelerating national development across Liberia.
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