LIBERIA: Sustainable Water Facility Management: Insights On WaterAid’s Projects In Liberia

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Another bright day here in Ngardonhun Town, Tewor District, Grand Cape Mount County, and Abraham Fahnbulleh is conducting his regular inspection and

 

maintenance of one of two hand pumps for the town made possible by WaterAid Liberia.

 

Fahnbulleh is one of only two technicians trained by WaterAid to repair and help maintain the quality, standard and sanitary condition of the pumps. He says the inspection is part of the community’s approach to get involved in maintenance and ownership of the project.

 

“Each time a pump spoils, we put our hands in the coffers and withdraw money to fix that pump,” says Fahnbulleh. “This is a requirement endorsed by our Town Chief for the 30 households here in our community.  The monthly fee helps support cost of repair to enhance sustainability and it’s  working well. People are required to draw water one after another to prevent overcrowding and  keep the facility tidy.”

 

To ensure that the chief’s orders are fully enforced, the residents set up a special committee comprising a chairperson, co-chairperson, secretary, treasurer, pump mechanic and pump caretaker. Overall, the committee is a mixture of elderly people and youth above 18 years. The committee members are trained by WaterAid. Residents say they appreciate the special pump maintenance and management initiative.

 

“I feel good about these measures,” says Jimmah Kromah, a mother of two. “Cleaning around the pump makes it safe to fetch safe drinking water. This will improve our health. The creek water was not too safe, because it was where we used to watch our clothes. Some people used to watch their baby’s dippers there.”

 

 

 

 

WaterAid has encouraged a standard facility maintenance approach in other project communities in a way to maintain standard and harmony. This includes the Yahyonyon Community in Todee District, Montserrado County.

 

Massa Sumo is the Chairlady of Yahyonyon Town. As with the other project communities, she says they’ve developed a maintenance and sustainability plan for their pump.

 

According to her, residents have cooperated with the payment plan. Under Sumo’s leadership, annual savings have significantly increased from LRD$2500 ($US13.1) in 2022 to LRD$15,650 ($US88.00) in 2023. Sumo credits WaterAid with the strategy.

 

“WaterAid made us to understand that we will not always get the support of NGOs,” says Sumo.

“Therefore, they suggested to us to find a good and workable approach to manage and sustain the pump and if possible, help one another to survive.”

 

Sumo discloses that they’ve also used some of the funds to support those in dire need of assistance.

 

“We’ve given loans with small interests to our people with emergency needs,” Sumo says.

Massa Sumo, a resident of Yahyonyon Town, Todee District, Montserrado County, joyfully pumps pure and safe drinking water from a pump in  town constructed by WaterAid.

 

 

 

 

 

Prior to WaterAid’s interventions, the communities had struggled for access to pure and safe drinking water which led to other health implications.

 

“When we never had pump, things were difficult,” recalls Sumo. “Rash used to even come on our skin, the water even used to cause us stomachache. Now we hardly experienced this condition after we got our new pump. WaterAid really did well for us.”

 

 

 

 

 

Timothy Kpeh, the head of a pro-WASH group, United Youth for Peace Education, Transparency and Development in Liberia, commended the residents in WaterAid project communities for their unique approach to safe water management. Kpeh however noted that he was not too surprised, because the measures are not new in sustaining donor-funded projects, especially those involving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

 

“I am more concerned about the government’s sustainable approach,” says Kpeh. “They should take the lead in monitoring and supporting the maintenance of the facilities, as NGOs will not always be around.”

 

According to Kpeh, when the government is deeply involved with WASH, they will understand the serious health complications citizens face and be better equipped to fulfill their commitments. This includes increasing WASH financing to enhance monitoring and implementation plans, especially at the district level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘‘Globally, we have seen how sustainable WASH projects have become when they are owned, managed, and maintained by communities. Often, appropriate behaviors are drivers that support the effective usage of WASH facilities. This system has worked in many countries, including Zimbabwe and Uganda. In fact, a 2020 report by USAID called Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting Fosters Local Ownership and Ultimately, Better Results.’’

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