The Board and management of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) have bid farewell to the outgoing World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Dr. Khwima Nthara, for his meaningful role played in supporting and strengthening the country’s energy sector.
Speaking during the farewell and dinner program held in honor of Dr. Nthara, the Chief Executive Office of the LEC, Monie Captan said the work of Nthara as World Bank Country Manager for Liberia helped to intensify the government’s policy direction in transforming LEC.
“Dr. Nthara will be leaving Liberia to take on another assignment, and we thought it wise at this time to say a special thank you to him for all of the many sacrifices that we have received from the World Bank and also through his leadership,” the LEC CEO stated.
According to him, the country under President George M. Weah’s leadership was privileged to have Dr. Nthara, who is committed to Liberia’s energy sector growth and LEC programs on grounds that he went the extra mile, not just being the country’s manager but showing very strong commitment and support to various projects of which LEC is a primary beneficiary.
“It is an honor to have you here, to bid you farewell, and to thank you for your support because during his stayed in the country, he touched the lives of many Liberians by ensuring that citizens have access to stable electricity among others,”he said.
Accordingly, during Dr. Nthara’s stay in Liberia, the country continued to enjoy the LESSAP, which is the first project of a multi-phase programmatic approach (MPA) with a goal to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity to 632,500 Liberians.
The LSSAP also saw the rehabilitation and expansion of electricity infrastructure and provided sustainable solutions for electricity access, targeting two key areas: grid electrification in the greater Monrovia area and off-grid solar electrification at about 200 health facilities in particular to help build resilience against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, in response, Dr. Nthara extended his profound gratitude to the government for facilitating his work in Liberia, noting that the collaboration between the World Bank and LEC did not start when he got to the country.
“Wow! What can I say? I’m truly speechless and really happy for such a gesture from this gathering. You know, so many kind words have been said about me, but whatever we have been able to do in Liberia has been through mutual partnership and cooperation between the Liberian government and the World Bank,” he asserted.
He added, “Today, I’m pleased to announce as the outgoing country’s manager for the World Bank that under the Liberian leadership headed by CEO Captan, development partners are now very pleased and gratified in celebrating the current LEC management for the level of progress, growth, and development being experienced.”