Prolonged Power Outage Forces Fish Town Residents to Shut Down Highway

By: Ben T.C. Brooks | River Gee Correspondent

River Gee County | Jan. 19, 2026 | Residents of Fish Town City, River Gee County, on Monday staged a large-scale protest against the Liberia Electricity Corporation – LIBENERGY citing the prolonged lack of stable electricity supply in the city.

The protest, which quickly escalated, saw citizens mounting a major roadblock along the Maryland–Grand Gedeh highway, effectively bringing traffic to a complete standstill.

Vehicles, motorcycles, and commercial transport were all prevented from passing through Fish Town for several hours.

Demonstrators accused LIBENERGY of repeatedly failing to provide reliable electricity to the county despite numerous appeals and engagements.

They said the ongoing power crisis has disrupted daily life and severely undermined economic activities in the area.

According to the protesters, unstable electricity has made it increasingly difficult for traders, shop owners, and service providers to operate, forcing many businesses to scale down or shut their doors entirely.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Isaiah Komoh Nyenpan, Coordinator of the Federation of Liberian Youth – FLY, River Gee Chapter, and Lead Campaigner, said the roadblock was intended to draw urgent attention from county authorities and LIBENERGY officials.

“The roadblock is a reminder to our local leadership and LIBENERGY that the people of Fish Town deserve electricity,” Nyenpan stated. “We want them to come forward, receive our petition, and take immediate action.”

During the protest, the youth leader ordered a total shutdown of vehicular movement along the highway linking Maryland and Grand Gedeh counties through Fish Town.

In a petition read and formally presented to county officials and LIBENERGY representatives, the demonstrators issued a 48-hour ultimatum, calling on LIBENERGY and the national government to urgently intervene and resolve the electricity crisis in River Gee County.

The petition emphasized that access to reliable electricity is essential for economic growth, job creation, and social development in the county.

Also speaking during the protest, Mary Dopoh, a prominent member of the Fish Town business community and proprietress of Dopoh’s Restaurant, alleged that several businesses have collapsed as a direct result of unstable electricity supply.

“Many businesses cannot survive without power,” Dopoh said. “We want immediate action, or we will be forced to shut down all public offices in the county.”

Receiving the petition, Nyanfor Toe, LIBENERGY’s River Gee County Head of Office, along with Alex Hinneh, the County Administrator representing the Office of the Superintendent, thanked the protest organizers for their peaceful engagement.

They appealed to the protesters to remove the roadblocks, assuring them that action would be taken promptly.

Additionally, S.T. Marcus Solkroe, Chief of Office Staff for Electoral District Two, River Gee County, called on the protesters to remain calm and law-abiding.

He promised to convey their concerns to Representative Isaac Boy Choloplay Wou for discussion at the plenary of the House of Representatives.

This protest highlights long-standing development challenges in River Gee County.

Meanwhile, the protest was conducted under heavy security, with joint security personnel from the River Gee detachment deployed to ensure law and order throughout the demonstration.

The peaceful protest drew broad participation from across Fish Town and surrounding communities with Women, youths, members of the business community of River Gee County, motorcyclists, students, and elderly citizens were all visibly present, marking what observers described as the first large-scale, organized public protest against the persistent electricity instability caused by LibEnergy in River Gee County.

Participants expressed growing frustration over the unreliable power supply, which they say continues to negatively affect businesses, education, healthcare services, and overall livelihoods in the county.

Protest leaders emphasized that access to stable electricity is essential for economic development and improved living standards, particularly in a county striving to attract investment and expand local enterprises.