EU Technical Focus Person at RREA Commends Southeast Liberia for Patience as Electrification Project Moves Forward

By Emmanuel Koffa/Grand Kru County

Simon Taylor, European Union representative for the Long-Term Technical Assistance to Liberia’s Rural Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), has praised the patience and resilience of residents in Buchanan, Greenville, and Barclayville as the long-awaited “Light Up the Southeast of Liberia” electrification project gains momentum.

Speaking to journalists in Barclayville, Taylor acknowledged the frustration many have felt since the project’s inception in 2018, attributing the delays to complex financing procedures. “The financing agreement with the EU took longer than expected to finalize, with key amendments only completed in 2021,” he explained.

Taylor further noted that recruiting and mobilizing contractors contributed to the slow start of the project. “I want to thank the citizens and residents of these three cities for their understanding and patience. Your perseverance during this waiting period has not gone unnoticed,” he said.

The electrification project, aimed at delivering sustainable and reliable energy solutions to Liberia’s underserved Southeast region, is now set to enter its implementation phase. According to Taylor, the project is expected to take approximately two years to complete.

In addition to providing electricity, the initiative includes a capacity-building component. “We will be conducting training sessions to equip local residents with the skills needed to support and maintain the systems under the Rural Renewable Energy Agency,” he added. “This is about more than just lighting homes, it’s about empowering communities and building a sustainable future.”

Community leaders across the region have welcomed the update, expressing optimism that the project will lead to improved living conditions and economic growth. They echoed Taylor’s message of partnership and praised the broader vision of development through energy access.

The “Light Up the Southeast of Liberia” initiative is part of a wider national strategy by the Liberian government and its international partners to expand access to renewable energy and promote inclusive development across the country.