LIBERIA: $18 Million USD raw water pipeline project launched
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – The Liberian government and the Millennium Challenge Account over the weekend broke grounds for the construction of an 18 Million United States dollars Raw Water Pipeline in White Plains, outside Monrovia. It will be constructed between the Mt. Cofee Hydro Plant and the White Plains Water Treatment Plant.
President George Weah launching the Project
The pipeline will ensure the delivery safe drinking water supply to nearly million residents of Monrovia and environs.
The 48-inch pipeline is part of the energy project under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact. It will replace the original 36-inch diameter pipeline destroyed during the country’s civil war (1989-2003).
Launching the project, President George Weah said the rehabilitation marks the beginning of a “life change” for the people of Liberia.
The project, the President said is the result of collective efforts of all Liberians, who have resolved that affordable and cheap electricity is the surest way for an economic boom, especially in the manufacturing industry.
A sample of the 48 inch Raw Water Pipe line
He then used the occasion to express gratitude to development partners, especially the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Union (EU) for being with the country’s water and sanitation sector.
He said the construction of the pipeline will surely improve the water quality of Monrovia and its environs, and thereby improve the quality of health of the Liberian people.
He said the construction of the pipeline is a clear manifestation of the government partners’ commitment to ensuring the realization of the national development plan strategy.
President Weah then admonished the engineers, management, and staffs of the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation to properly maintain the infrastructure when it becomes fully operational in June 2020 as proposed.
The President also urged the people of White Plains to take ownership of the project.
President Weah and MCC Vice President Anthony Welcher broke grounds for the project
Also speaking, LWSC Managing Director, Duannah Kamara said the occasion is a clear demonstration of the Weah administration’s commitment to providing safe drinking water to the people of Monrovia.
He said the government of the United States, acting through the MCC and the government of Liberia are working to solve the problem of safe drinking water through economic growth in the country.
The LWSC boss also said the event marks another milestone towards the realization of the compact objective to support the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD).
When completed, Kamara said, the project will primarily benefit the people of Monrovia, and thereby, providing the reliability and quality of affordable, and safe drinking water to all Liberians, as well as reduce the consumption of energy and water treatment chemicals.
American Ambassador to Liberia, Christian Elder
Monie R. Captan, Chief Executive Officer of MCA-L, recalled that in January of 2016, the United States of America acting through the MCC, and the Government of Liberia, entered a five-year MCC compact, valued at US$257 million to address the lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity and inadequate road infrastructure.
A compact, which is a grant from the people of the United States of America (USA), seeks to address two binding constraints to economic growth in Liberia, the likes of affordable and reliable electricity and affordable road infrastructure.
The program was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Christian Elder, MCC Vice President for Compact Operations, Anthony Welcher, Chair of MCA-L Board Samuel Tweah, and Kebbeh Collins, Board Chair of LWSC.
Heads of local and international NGOs, including the Country Director of WaterAid Liberia, Chuchu Selmah, among others, also attended the program.
MCA-L contracted Denys NV (Belgium) to design and construct the pipeline and Nocholas O’Dwyer (Ireland) as the engineer for design review and construction supervision. The pipeline is expected to be completed in June 2020.
The new pipeline is approximately five kilometers long, and will improve water quality and save the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) US$780,000 a year in electricity costs to pump water to its treatment plant.
