The Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Mohammed Ali, has assured a visiting World Bank team to Liberia of his management’s commitment to ensure the success of all projects funded by the bank, especially the current transmission pipeline replacement project under the Liberia Urban Water Supply Project (LUWSP) in order to achieve its development objectives.
LWSC boss Ali assured the bank that, as head of the corporation, he will ensure that management provides the bank all necessary supports required for the successful implementation of the pipeline replacement project, underscoring the significance of bank’s projects as paramount to both the LWSC and the Government of Liberia (GOL).
The World Bank has provided about US$12 million for the replacement of Liberia’s current water infrastructure main transmission pipeline, the thirty-six inch, which has a repetition of consistent raptures due to its old-aged nature to a modern and sizable forty-eight transmission pipeline.
The 11.8 kilometers pipeline replacement project, which stretches from the White Plains water treatment plant in lower Montserrado County to parts of Johnsonville and is been implemented by Constar JV, with consultancy from WAPCOS, is said to have exhausted over two (2) months of the project’s term with only nine (9) percent of work done so far.
But speaking during a recent week-long Implementation Support Mission to Liberia by members of the bank’s team, MD Ali promised to adequately address all concerns raised by the bank about the project, including the current delay in the project, the need for substantial improvement and intensive monitoring of the projects as well as catching up with the slippage gap in order to achieve its development objectives.
“The need for substantial improvement at this stage of the project is worrying, but I can request that this becomes key function of the project implementation unit, (PIU) and at the same time call on members of the section to ensure that all projects, especially the current thirty-six-inch replacement project under the Liberia Urban Supply and Sanitation Project (LUWSSP), are properly manage and implemented,” MD Ali further stated.
MD Ali promised to keenly consider the schedule for the importation of the materials–pipes and fitting—needed for the project, noting that this is an important activity of the project.
“We are very concerned that as we speak no requisition has been made for the pipes and fittings, but be assured that this is one area of the project that will consume most of our time,” the LWSC boss asserted.
According to Managing Director Ali, water and sanitation are essential components of the Unity Party’s government priorities as the President, His Excellency Joseph N. Boakai, is deeply concerned about the availability of safe and affordable water and sanitation services to all within the border limits of the country.
“You can be assured that nothing will hinder these projects from our end, as my boss, the President, is so concerned about the comprehensive achievement of his government’s ARREST program,” Ali mentioned.
He said as part of the government’s ARREST program, sanitation and water will be given utmost attention and the support of the World Bank and other partners are pivotal.
“Our ARREST program significantly captures sanitation and water; so these supports from you are timely and much beneficial to all of us as they help us meet our government’s priorities and obligations to our people,” Ali asserted.
MD Ali assured the bank that his management will provide the proper oversight in ensuring that pressure is put on the consultant and, if need, the contractor, too, for rapid progress in the project especially as the rainy season approaches.
“While we sit in these offices, you can be assured that we will do all in our powers, beginning with reviewing the updated schedule of the project as well as the timeframe for the shipment of materials—pipes and fittings—required for the project, to meet all timetables regarding the completion of your funded projects,” MD Ali told his guests.
The LWSC boss expressed optimism that the project will be completed and turned over as per the timetable of December 31, 2024, as he hopes that there will be no more delays from the parties concerned, including the consultant, contractor and his management.
Managing Director Ali then lauded the bank for its numerous interventions in postwar Liberia’s recovery efforts, and noted that the Liberian people, through the LWSC, are appreciative of the support the bank is giving to relevant sectors under its various projects across the government.
The visiting WB team, which ended a week-long Implementation Support Mission to Liberia under the Liberia Urban Water Supply Project (LUWSP) on March 9, 2024, amongst other activities paid a one-day site visit to the project while meeting with the contractor and consultant for the transmission main replacement work.
The Implementation Support Mission team, headed by the bank’s Tax Team Leader, Yitbarek Tessema, also had a review meeting with each component of the project, including its project implementation unit and conducted a half day training on health and safety at the workplace.
The 48-inch transmission pipeline project, which is scheduled for completion on December 31, 2024, is expected, to among other things, increase water pressure within the corporation’s network and ensure uninterrupted supply within the city limits, and beyond.