Ganta, Nimba County — A 52-year-old businesswoman reportedly died after coming into contact with a Jungle Energy Power (JEP) High-Voltage Line in the UPMC Back Pass Community in Ganta City, Nimba County.
By D. Franklin Doloquee / Nimba County
The victim, Nohn Dolo, a mother of four, was carrying out business when she touched a low-hanging or fallen power line and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her body was taken to Gompa Funeral Home.
Residents said they repeatedly warned JEP technicians and local authorities about sagging power lines in the area, but no corrective action has been taken.
FrontPage Africa(FPA) reported that heavy rains and a lightning strikes cut a tension lines, causing the wire to fall and allegedly leading to Dolo’s electrocution.
Zawolo Barnakpah, head of communications for Jungle Energy Power, confirmed to FPA that JEP’s current came into contact with its wire.
He also told the news outlet that the institution has accepted responsibility for the July 9 incident and is engaging with the family over burial arrangements.
The Liberia National Police in Ganta has launched an investigation into the incident.
JEP has not yet issued a formal public statement.
Community members in Ganta said this is part of a wider safety problem linked to cross-border electricity lines managed by JEP.
They claimed the company’s faults have caused at least 11 deaths across the region, including two children from Gbarnga in Bong County and others from Yekepa and Sanniquellie.
Residents also alleged that more than ten houses and other properties some reportedly worth millions of United States Dollars were damaged in separate incidents.
JEP has previously denied responsibility for property losses, the residents said.
A few months ago, near the Ganta Police Station, four people including an American visitor and members of his family were seriously burned in an incident they attributed to JEP Power Lines.
