PAYNESVILLE – It was moment of relief and joy for the residents of New Life Community in Johnsonville, a suburb of Monrovia, when the charitable organization Catholic Relief Services (CRS) inaugurated and officially transferred a state-of-the-art water facility to the community.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
During the handover event, CRS Country Manager for Liberia, Abena Amedormey said the water project significantly contributes to the government’s endeavors in delivering clean water to the Liberian population. Acknowledging Liberia’s limited Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure and services despite the abundance of water resources, Amedormey pointed out the current imbalance in water supply and sanitation services in urban areas. While some regions are equipped with piped water supply and sewerage systems, underserved communities lack access to these fundamental services.
Madam Amedormey highlighted the multiple challenges faced by women and girls due to the lack of access to clean and safe water. Fetching water for household use is often deemed a female responsibility in Liberia, resulting in long walks to retrieve water, usage of unclean water leading to health issues, and missed economic opportunities.
Addressing these challenges, CRS formulated the “Helping to Elevate the Lives of People in Small Cities (HELPS)” project, which aligns with Liberia’s development agenda in the WASH sector.
Under this initiative, CRS Liberia selected Margibi and Montserrado counties to construct two modern water supply facilities. The first facility, located in Kakata, Margibi County, has already been handed over to the government and is actively serving the community.
Amedormey took the occasion to extend gratitude to the CRS project team, led by Theophilus Davis, for their dedicated efforts. She also expressed appreciation for the local implementing partner (ECREP), the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and the National WASH Commission for their technical support and supervision that ensured the successful completion of the project. She further acknowledged the contributions of NEIAMA Engineering, the contractor responsible for bringing the project’s vision to fruition.
“As CRS entrusts this modern and functional water facility to the government, we hold the belief that both the government and the community will collaborate to sustain the operation and maintenance of this facility, ensuring continued access to clean and safe water supply for our people,” Amedormey remarked.
Despite its lush rainforests, Liberia faces challenges in delivering clean drinking water to all its citizens, with major water sources primarily concentrated within parts Monrovia.
The event was graced by Alphonso Gaye, the Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and Bobby Whitfield, the Chairman and CEO of the Liberia Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Commission. In separate remarks, both Gaye and Whitfield thanked CRS for the facility and called on the community to take ownership of the project.
Providing an overview of the project, CRS Senior Project Officer, Theophilus Davis, expressed gratitude to Madam Amedormey for guiding the Liberia Country Team in securing funding for the project. Mr. Davis commended Amedormey’s role in developing a compelling proposal that earned CRS funding for Liberia. Davis further recognized the Government of Liberia, represented by LWSC and WASH, for their unwavering technical support from the project’s inception to completion.
He also extended appreciation to community leaders whose invaluable support was instrumental in the project’s execution, including individuals who donated portions of their land for the water facility’s construction.
The solar-powered facility, equipped with a self-contained water kiosk, is designed to produce affordable clean drinking water for the community. Managed by a team of trained community members, the facility embodies a sustainable approach towards ensuring ongoing access to clean and safe water supply.
In response, the community’s Chairman expressed gratitude to CRS for the facility and pledged the community’s commitment to responsible management and upkeep of the resource.
The ceremony concluded with a shared aspiration for continued access to sustainable clean and safe water supply, reflecting the collective determination to transform lives through this vital initiative.