Monrovia – The Liberian Cable Consortium (CCL) has started work in collaboration with the Liberian Telecommunications Agency (LTA) to redirect domestic internet cables from under the PHP park in Monrovia.
During a site inspection on Wednesday, April 2nd, CCL CEO and Chairman Henry Benson revealed that some of the African coastal Europe (ACE) fiber optic cables were damaged under a memorial inside the park. He said the structure was built despite repeated warnings against building it via critical communications infrastructure.
“Ace, Orange Liberia, Ronester Cell MTN, LTA and CCL all advised previous CDC-led managers to avoid construction on cables, but these warnings were ignored,” Benson said.
To avoid the park’s destruction while restoring internet stability, Benson announced that the team at the Global Internet Consortium, responsible for the ace, will arrive on ships on April 22 to begin the redirect process. The work is expected to cause intermittent disruption nationwide from April 23 to April 28, costing an estimated $200,000.
“When we stand here, the ace cable is just below us, buried beneath heavy rocks. Everything in the tide changes the rocks, increasing the risk of a complete breakdown of the internet,” explained Benson.
He said that CCL considered destroying the park but ultimately chose to rerout cables and to publicly recognize the cultural and recreational importance of PHP parks.
“In collaboration with the LTA and stakeholders, we decided to move the cable into a more secure zone and ensure uninterrupted connections,” he said.
Benson praised the Liberian government, particularly the LTA, for his active support. “Without internet access, there are serious social and economic consequences. If Liberians are asked to choose to preserve the park or maintain internet services, many will prioritize connectivity,” he said.
He also praised the coordination with several major government agencies, including the Liberian Water Sewer Company (LWSC), the Liberian Electric Corporation (LEC), and the Liberian Football Association (LFA).
“The LWSC is working to avoid areas with future pipe installations, and part of the ministadium known as Blue Field had to be removed, and they had to work with the LEC to coordinate pole placement to prevent blockages.
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On his part, LTA Chair Abdullah Kamara reaffirmed the regulator’s commitment to working with the CCL to resolve the ongoing crisis. He assured the public that everything was done to limit service interruptions during redirects.
Kamala recalled a massive outage in August 2024 that had serious impacts on both the public and private sectors. “President Joseph Nyuma Boachey understands the economic sacrifices and national security risks associated with internet blackouts, so solving this issue remains a top priority,” he emphasized.
He unveiled the Ace Cable ownership structure, noting that the Liberian government owns 75% stake, while private operators Orange Liberia and Ronester Cell MTN own 25% in bulk. Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) holds 20% in its arrangement.
“We would like to commend Mr. Benson and the entire CCL team for their resilience and tireless efforts to maintain Liberia’s connection,” Kamala said.
The Cable Redirection Project is expected to significantly improve the stability and reliability of Liberia’s Internet infrastructure, supporting improved service delivery to businesses, schools and individuals across the country.
