The Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL), in collaboration with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), has launched a critical project to reroute the country’s undersea internet cable away from PHP Park in Monrovia, aiming to end ongoing nationwide connectivity disruptions.
During a site visit on Wednesday, April 2, CCL CEO and Board Chairman Henry Benson revealed that a segment of the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) fiber-optic cable was damaged beneath a monument in the park. The structure, he noted, was built despite repeated warnings from ACE stakeholders against constructing over essential telecommunications infrastructure.
“ACE, Orange Liberia, Lonestar Cell MTN, LTA, and CCL all advised the previous CDC-led administration not to build over the cable, but those warnings were ignored,” Benson stated.
To avoid dismantling the park, while restoring reliable internet, Benson announced that a team from the global ACE consortium will arrive by ship on April 22 to begin the redirection. The work, scheduled from April 23 to 28, may cause intermittent nationwide outages and is projected to cost around US$200,000.
“As we speak, the ACE cable lies directly beneath this area—buried under heavy rocks. Tides shift these rocks, increasing the risk of total internet failure,” he explained.
Although demolishing the park was considered, Benson said the decision was made to reroute the cable, acknowledging PHP Park’s cultural and recreational value.
“Together with LTA and our partners, we opted to relocate the cable to a safer zone to ensure uninterrupted internet service,” he said.
Benson praised the Liberian government and LTA for their proactive support. “Without internet, the social and economic impact would be severe. Given the choice between preserving the park or ensuring connectivity, many Liberians would choose the latter,” he remarked.
He also highlighted coordination with key agencies, including the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), and Liberia Football Association (LFA).
“LWSC has pledged to avoid the area in future pipe work. We also removed part of the Blue Field mini-stadium and coordinated with LEC to reposition poles. Their cooperation has been exceptional,” Benson added.
LTA Chairperson Abdullah Kamara reaffirmed the regulator’s full commitment to collaborating with the Cable Consortium of Liberia (CCL) in resolving the country’s ongoing internet connectivity crisis. He assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to minimize service interruptions during the cable redirection process.
Kamara referenced the major outage in August 2024, which had a significant impact on both public and private sectors. “President Joseph Nyuma Boakai understands the economic consequences and national security risks posed by internet blackouts. That’s why addressing this issue remains a top priority,” he emphasized.
He also clarified the ownership structure of the ACE cable, noting that the Government of Liberia owns a 75% stake, while private operators Orange Liberia and Lonestar Cell MTN jointly hold 25%. Within this framework, the Liberia Telecommunications Corporation (LTC) controls 20%.
“We commend Mr. Benson and the entire CCL team for their resilience and tireless efforts to keep Liberia connected,” Kamara added.
The cable redirection project is expected to significantly improve the stability and reliability of Liberia’s internet infrastructure, ensuring more consistent service for businesses, educational institutions, and households nationwide.
