By M. Neywon Mengonfia, mmenginfia@gmail.com
With just few days to the holding of December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial election, the CDC government in Liberia has begun taking transformers to various Communities that have been in darkness for months or up to a year.
On his official social media page, Minister of State for Presidential affairs, Nathaniel McGill posted and said,”Yesterday, the 12th Street community received a 250KVA transformer under the Special Presidential Transformer Replacement Project. Other communities will receive circumspectly.”
As the ruling party is desperate to win Montserrado and most of the 15 Senate seats next Tuesday, President Weah’s Chief of Office Staff justified that the President’s action to rally the Government to increase investment in the energy sector through electricity distribution to the people of is deliberate.
He said, “He understands that electricity access should be seen as more than just a binary concept; electricity quality is a critical element of access.”
According to him, the government’s drive to guarantee energy access is not an end goal, but rather to ensure that it provides opportunities for additional services such as improved healthcare, education, and business opportunities.
The minister in his statement has realized that electricity gives rise to increase income, improve education, and decrease poverty.
L-R: Pres. Weah and Min. McGill
“This government has observed significant correlation between literacy rate and electrification rate. Access to electricity improves school infrastructures, food preparation and learning conditions; it increases study time thanks to lighting,” the Minister of State said on his official social media page.
He furthered, “Today the Matadi community inhabitants will benefit from another brand new transformer and the many benefits that come with energy access.
Our President has continuously demonstrated huge political will and this latest development move is a testament of that will.
Join me to thank our President for bringing light to the people and making Liberia better.”
Since the minister made the statement and called on Liberians to join him to appreciate President George M. Weah, he has received mixed reactions and comments.
Responding to the Minister’s Thursday social media post was Zeonyuway Abeninga Julius who said,” This should not be a campaign issue or a plus for government.It is the sole responsibility of the government. You kept the masses in darkness for months and you want to use this cheap means to cajole the agitated masses , your strategies are poor.”
Garteh Garteh said,”Classical example of rogue government.”
Sei Kpakun indicated,” This is not something you should brag about. That’s the citizens’ entitlement.”
Kebeh Tarnue said, “I live 12 street, I’m so glad that our president remember us, 4 months now we been out of current. Thanks again prezo we love you.”
“My leader we need transformer at Barnesville Junction around MSF. We have been out of current for months” Bah Fatumata Niebi said.
Many of them who commented on the
For his part, Yah-Son Geo thanked the Minister for the updates from the President’s Office but he was quick to write: “However, the guys at LEC are not serious at all. They have their boys in the fields doing all the illegal connections. When Community members call their power theft team, they never appear. Because of their deliberate insensitivity, the transformers are overloaded and eventually get damaged. So, call the LEC guys to order, Hon. Minister. Or else, the President effort will be wasted.”
Some of them in their Facebook responses said the government should not have withheld what is entitled them and bring them at the time elections is nearing.
They say it is reception for government to think that their entitlements should be traded for votes while others have the view that government was doing what they think is best for the citizens.