The contract signing ceremony took place during a meeting of key stakeholders involved with the energy sector on Thursday, 9^th  August 2018. Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Samuel Tweah, signed for the Government of Liberia and Managing Director Prayag Gaur signed for MBH Power Ltd, the Nigerian company contracted to implement the project. Also in attendance was European Union Ambassador Hélène Cavé, had previously endorsed the contract. Other stakeholders who attended the meeting and the signing ceremony included the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Liberia Electricity Corporation, the Rural & Renewable Energy Agency and Intec Gopa, the engineering firm which will supervise the project.

The new project titled: “Monrovia Consolidation of Electricity Transmission Works – Lot 1” is fully funded by the European Union (EU). In addition to the EUR 18.5 million contract for engineering works, a further EUR 1.5 million will go towards supervision activities to ensure the project is completed quickly and to high standards. In line with the Government of Liberia's emphasis on training and technical education, the project includes an internship program that will benefit around 40 young people.

Closing the ring of 66 kV lines from the Mt Coffee hydro facility and  strengthening the electricity transmission network backbone in and around Monrovia is an important step towards meeting the Government of Liberia’s objective to increase access to renewable energy services and to sustainable and affordable power. A second phase of the project, also fully funded by the European Union, will connect at least 38,000 additional households to the electricity grid.

Background Information

Project: Consolidation of Monrovia Electricity Transmission Lot 1Source of funding: European UnionValue: EUR  18,529,744.01Contracting authority: National Authorising OfficerImplementing contractor: Works awarded to MBH NigeriaDuration: 24 months + 12 months defect liability periodGeneral Objective: To contribute to the reduction of poverty in Monrovia by improving the environmental and socio-economic conditions of the people of Liberia, in line with the GoL’s objective to increase access to renewable energy services and affordable power for community and economic transformation.Specific Objective: To increase access to sustainable and affordable renewable energy in the greater Monrovia area.Expected results: A strengthened Electricity Transmission Network in Monrovia

Beneficiaries: Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy (MLME), Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), residents of Monrovia.

In collaboration with the EU, the National Authorizing Office unit at the Ministry of Finance will monitor the 2-year project as part of its mandate to program, coordinate, manage and oversee EU-funded projects in Liberia. Technical supervision will be provided by Intec Gopa under a separate EUR 1.5 million (US$1.74 million) contract, also funded by the EU.

Lot 2 for distribution is currently in the tendering phase and the aim is to sign a contract by the end of the year. This will provide direct connections for individual households and business customers.