Caldwell – Residents of Caldwell Township are calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s government to restore streetlights in the area, following years of darkness caused by the looting of solar lights by criminals.
By Augustus D.R. Bortue
According to Nelson Bedell Sr., Chairman of the Sims Community in Coffee Farm, Caldwell, the streetlights were installed during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as part of broader infrastructure upgrades that included roads and a bridge.
However, the lights gradually failed due to the absence of a maintenance plan and were eventually vandalized and stolen.
“In the beginning, the lights gave the community hope and made our streets safe,” Bedell told FrontPage Africa during an interview at his residence. “But after a while, they started going off, and then criminals looted the entire system. Now Caldwell is in total darkness.”
Bedell said the community reported the thefts to the police, but little action was taken. Since then, residents have endured increased criminal activity, particularly at night, with motorcyclists reportedly snatching phones and other valuables from pedestrians.
“Restoring our streetlights will help reduce crime and allow residents to move freely at night without fear,” Bedell appealed.
While some homes in Caldwell now have electricity, Bedell emphasized that the streets remain dark, posing a serious public safety issue. He also recalled that electricity only came to the township during the Weah administration after residents staged protests.
They argued that although Caldwell sits next to the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, electricity was being routed to more distant communities while they remained in the dark.
“We had to protest because the power lines run right through our community to other places, yet we were left behind,” Bedell said.
