Monrovia – Lonestar Cell MTN and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) have launched the Mobile Money Utility bill payment for all customers of LWSC.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Under the service, LWSC customers will now pay their water bills via mobile money by obtaining an eight-digit numeric code.
Speaking at the launch of the ceremony at LWSC sub-station in Sinkor on Wednesday, August 22, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister B. Elias Shoniyin lauded the management of both corporations for the innovation that result into effective service delivery for thousands of ordinary Liberians.
Minister Shoniyin, who performed live demonstration of the service, called on customers to make use of it.
The head of MTN Mobile Financial Services, Atty. Massa M. Dennis, stated that as the Government of Liberia seeks to provide economic revitalization, the launch of the service is a testament to Lonestar Cell MTN’s commitment to working with all stakeholders in realizing such plans.
Atty. Dennis further stated that digitalizing payment has the potential to drastically reduce cost, increase efficiency and transparency.
She disclosed that the mobile money service has made a significant impact since its launch by the company few years ago.
“Today 5000 civil servants in the rural areas are receiving their salary through mobile money. Over one million customers have access to digital financial services. The mobile money is not just creating access to financial services, it is also creating the means for livelihood for over 3000 agents spread across the country. They will be helping Liberians facilitate the water bill payment as well,” she said.
She disclosed that in 2017, mobile money paid over US$1.5 million in commission to its agents and processed US$192 million.
In addition, she stated that currently the company’s mobile money service is processing more than US$20 million value of transaction monthly as well as providing an opportunity for financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
For his part, LWSC Managing Director Duannah A. Kamara noted that the launch of the service marks the beginning of many positive changes that are expected to take place at the corporation.
“I don’t want to be a manager who will manage and leave LWSC the same way I met it,” he said.
Duannah lauded Lonestar Cell MTN for the collaboration and thanked his staff for their hard work in ensuring the project is a success.
Earlier giving the overview of the project, LWSC Management Consultant George Lassana explained that the service is intended to address the constraint customers face in paying their bills.
“Upon the ascendancy of the current leadership, we realize that customers have been experiencing numerous challenges in paying their bills on time. We also notice that customers have to incur huge transportation cost to pay their bills at one location at the central office. The management established a depot where cash was received. A cash collection team was set up. But the current management realizes that we need to do something to establish an efficient and effective process,” he explained.
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