By Tokpa M. Tarnue tarnue82@gmail.com
Voinjama – Residents of the northwestern city of Voinjama in Liberia’s Lofa are now currently benefitting from the supply of pipe borne safe drinking water, for the first time since the Liberian Civil war officially ended some 15 years ago.
For as low as $5.00LD per six gallon container, residents in this rural community now have access to tap water.
Works to restore safe drinking water to this provincial city of Lofa and its environs were recently successfully completed and turned over to a private company, the Pump and Tanks Maintenance Company for maintenance.
Officials says this company will distribute at least 336,000 gallon of pipe bone water to residents of Voinjama city and its environs in Lofa County.
The Voinjama water facility which include intake system, water Treatment system, Standard Kiosk System (VK # 1), Elevated Storage System, Fire Hydrant System and High Density Kiosks System (VK# 10), is aimed at providing safe drinking water and prioritize good sanitation practices to the people of Lofa particularly in Voinjama city and its environs.
LWSC Deputy MD Morris received documents of the water facility flanked by USAID Health Officer Healy
The Voinjama project is part of the Liberia Municipal Water several Projects, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Capital Improvement Project, and implemented by United Infrastructure Project (UIP) including Lofa, Nimba and Grand Cape Mount Counties respectively.
The first mini water hydro was constructed in 1979 and was later destroyed during the Liberia civil war in the 1990s and since then Voinjama and its surroundings have been out of safe drinking water for several years now, but the construction of the new modern water facility has brought smile particularly residents of Voinjama.
People in Lofa County’s provincial capital are now receiving safe drinking water from the Liberia Municipal Water Project (LMWP) with support from the Government of the United States, under a project known as ‘Quick Impact Water Project.’
Making remarks at the turning over ceremony JR Zeleba River on the outskirt of Voinjama Thursday, USAID Health Officer Jessica Healy thanked government and the people of Lofa for their support and collaboration toward the completion the water project.
Madam Healy pointed out that USAID will continue to work in partnership with the Liberian government and the Liberian people in ensuring that the development agenda of the country is achieved.
Also remarking at the ceremony, USAID WASH System Advisor Teffera Wondwossen promised USAID’s unflinching support to the Liberian people particularly in the sanitation and health sector of Liberia.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian government, LWSC Deputy Managing Director for Finance Sensee J. Morris expressed profound thanks and appreciation to USAID and other implementing partners for their continue support provided to the people of Liberia.
Honorable Morris said that the government and the People of Liberia were very much graceful to USAID and other implementing partners, adding that the facilities were destroyed and vandalized during the war thereby depriving the people of Lofa County of safe drinking water for years.
He noted that the newly constructed water facility was now safe and ready for drinking and however urged the citizens of Lofa County, particularly residents of Voinjama city and its environs to take advantage of the water by providing support and maintenance, adding that hand pumps were not now too safe for drinking because most of these hand pumps have outlived their usefulness.
For their part, Lofa County Development Superintendent, who proxies for Lofa County Superintendent Mr. Samuel Mulbah on behalf of Lofa County lauded government, USAID and other implementing partners for implementing development projects in the County.
He said the water project is one of several projects being implemented by the Pro-Poor government of George Weah and international partners and further promised that the citizens of Lofa will remain supportive to any development projects in the County.
The ceremony was attended by civil society, marketers, County and government officials and the ordinary citizens or residents of Voinjama city in Lofa County.