Africa-Press – Liberia. Liberia is on the brink of a severe water shortage, posing a significant threat to its residents, particularly those in urban communities. Contrary to the common causes such as climate change or drought, the root of this impending crisis lies in the Liberian government’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities.
According to sources, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, representing the Government of Liberia, has neglected to settle outstanding debts with vendors for the procurement of water treatment chemicals. Mr. Alphonso Gaye, the Acting Director General of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), confirmed in a telephone conversation with FPA that water supply interruptions are imminent due to the shortage of these crucial treatment chemicals.
Sources within the Ministry of Finance informed FrontPageAfrica that cheques issued to vendors for water treatment chemicals purchased since October 2023 lack sufficient funds, contributing to the impending crisis.
Mr. Alphonso Gaye emphasized, “The ministry of finance procures the chemicals because the Liberia Water and Sewer does not have the capacity for procurement. The vendor has refused to supply chemicals due to insufficient funds in the cheques issued since October, causing a halt in chemical procurement.”
Rock-Hill, a community on the Paynesville GSA Road, is expected to bear the brunt of the water shortage. Despite having a water storage capacity of over one million gallons and a pipeline network to distribute water to homes, the community faces challenges, especially during dry seasons.
In 2021, residents anticipated relief when construction began on a reservoir capable of holding one million gallons of water. The project, funded by the International Development Association World Bank Group and contracted to TENGDA Construction Company Limited with Hydroplan Ingenieur-GESELLSCHAFT mbH as a consultant, aimed to supply water to Rock-Hill and other parts of Monrovia.
Originally set for dedication in February 2023, the project faced a three-month extension due to default on the part of the contractor, necessitating monitoring. Frustrated community members long for the completion of the project to alleviate their water woes.
One resident expressed disappointment, stating, “We thought this project would have rescued us, and we wouldn’t be experiencing what we have over the years. This is overdue; we want water, we see the big infrastructure standing—what’s going on?”
The World Bank’s funding for the Paynesville Service Reservoir, its associated feeder, main distribution pipelines, and additional works on the GSA Rock Hill Inline Booster Pump Station, and an eight-inch (8”) distribution pipeline are part of the LWSC’s US$6 million World Bank fund. This fund aims to enhance water supply and distribution in central Monrovia and adjacent areas, fostering a government partnership with international development institutions to improve social service delivery, particularly in water supply.
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