By Ibrahim A. Sherif & Dudu M. Kamara
MONROVIA, Nov. 3 (LINA) – In an effort to make water more accessible and affordable to the citizenry of Liberia, most especially the inhabitants of the capital city Monrovia, the Millennium Challenge Account-Liberia (MCA-L) in collaboration with the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) has launched a US$18 million raw water pipeline project in the country.
The project, which was symbolically launched by President George M. Weah on Friday at the White Plains Water Treatment Plant outside Monrovia, is an outcome of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact signed between the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the pipeline, President Weah stated that his government is grateful to all development partners of Liberia, including the World Bank Group, African Development Bank, European Union, amongst others, for their contributions towards the water and sanitation sector.
« On behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, I will like to express our profound gratitude to the Government and people of the United States of America for the immense contributions and support that they have given to our electricity and water sectors through the Millennium Challenge Corporation.” he said.
President Weah added: “I want to thank you for your effort, understanding and support. We are partners in progress, government in and out. »
President Weah indicated that the construction of the raw water pipeline will ensure the supply of quality water to the inhabitants of Monrovia and its environs and thereby improve the health quality of the Liberian populace.
Weah asserted that the water pipeline project is aligned with his government’s national development plan called the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) which focuses on improved service provision as a means of creating better living condition for all Liberians.
« The construction of this pipeline is a clear manifestation of our partner’s commitment in ensuring that our national development strategy is realized, » Weah told Liberians.
He admonished the management and staff of the LWSC to properly maintain the facility when it becomes fully functional in 2020.
The Liberian President emphasized that the MCC is a good initiative for Liberia, pointing out that his leadership knows what it is, and added: « I just want you to know that we are champions of MCC because we know what it is. »
However, President Weah expressed dissatisfaction in the methodology used by the MCC to evaluate her partners, stressing the need for a new paradigm shift at the MCC with regard to the grading system.
« I became president only to know that the same MCC that I was fighting for to come to being for our people, now every time the scorecard comes we get bad grade. I don’t understand, so maybe it is the teacher who comes to class and teaches Chapters 1, 2, and 3 but when he is about to give test he takes it from Chapters 5, 6 and 7,” the Chief Executive quipped.
President Weah noted that he is disheartened with the results Liberia gets from the MCC grading on a regular basis but averred that he is “not disappointed in the MCC at all.”
The President of Liberia maintained that he is confident that the “MCC is a good initiative for Liberia,” pointing out that it can help Liberia realize its developmental agenda.
Meanwhile, President Weah has called for increased collaboration between the United States and Liberia for the common benefit of both countries.
He also made a plea for the strengthening of partnership between the two countries, signalling that « America is our partner and we need to feel the presence of America in this country.”
“We want to see your companies that make your country great also operating here. If it means we get all American companies in this country for Liberia to succeed, then we will do it. But we must be fair with each other. We must work together for the benefit of both countries, » the President said.
For his part, LWSC Managing Director Duannah Kamara stated that the project will ensure the eradication of salt water intrusion into the water treatment plant at White Plains.
Kamara added that the project is a manifestation of the Government of Liberia commitment to providing safe drinking water to its population.
According to him, the project will provide employment opportunities to locals of White Plains Township.
He assured Liberians that the issue of shortage in water supply will be curtailed with the construction of the raw water pipeline, citing that there will be adequate water supply in the country.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of MCA-L Monie R. Captan, stated that the project is the result of the five-year Millennium Challenge Compact that was signed between the United States Government and the Government of Liberia in 2015 in the tone of US$257 million in grant.
Captan said the Compact is intended to help facilitate poverty reduction through economic growth in Liberia.
« The Compact, which is a grant from the people of the United States of America, seeks to address two binding constraints to economic growth in Liberia.
“They are the lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity and inadequate road infrastructure, » Captan pinpointed.
According to him, the pipeline, when completed, will help the LWSC save an estimated amount of US$780,000 annually in electricity cost as well as save the entity maintenance cost for the operation of pumps to push the water to Monrovia.
The MCC Compact is a Liberia-US partnership that seeks to reduce poverty and promote economic growth.
The Millennium Challenge Account Liberia is an Independent, legal and antonymous agency of the Government of Liberia created by the National Legislature to administer the Compact.
LINA IAS/DMK/PTK
