The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has officially broken ground for the construction of a water reservoir project valued at US$600,000.
The project is one of major initiatives to provide clean and safe drinking water to residents in City View Community and surrounding areas in Lower Johnsonville, Montserrado County.
CRS Quality Project Officer and Project Manager, Emmanuel Tokpah, said the project is funded by CRS and forms part of the organization’s commitment to improve access to safe water and sanitation services.
Tokpah said, the project originated from a survey conducted several years ago by a CRS assessment team under its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program.
He said, City View Community was selected among several communities assessed, because of its urgent need for reliable access to clean and safe drinking water.
He said, the community, which has an estimated population of about 100,000 residents, has struggled for years with limited access to safe water, making it a priority area for intervention under the CRS WASH initiative.
The CRS Project Manager said, upon completion, the facility will include five water kiosks strategically located throughout the community, with one kiosk in each of the four blocks and another at the central distribution point.
The project will also provide opportunities for household, church, and school connections to ensure access to clean water.
Tokpah described access to safe drinking water as a fundamental human right, urged residents to support the project, and protect construction materials and equipment throughout the implementation period.
He said, the success of the initiative depends heavily on community ownership and participation.
He further disclosed that the facility is expected to be completed and officially turned over to government through the appropriate water sector authorities in September this year before being handed over to the community for management and operation.
Tokpah clarified that while water is a public necessity, community members will collectively determine the price per jerry can through a town hall meeting involving local leaders, the National WASH Commission, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), the Township Commissioner, and the County Superintendent.
“Support the project by helping to safeguard the materials. Anyone found stealing or selling project materials should be reported to the police because these materials belong to the community and are not for sale.”
As part of efforts to ensure sustainability, Tokpah announced that CRS will recruit and train community residents through a transparent process in plumbing, system maintenance, and business management.
The trained individuals will be responsible for managing the water system, and ensure its long-term operation.
He said, oversight of the facility will be provided by a committee comprising representatives from the community leadership, the National WASH Commission, LWSC, the Township Commissioner’s Office, and the County Superintendent’s Office.
For residents interested in household connections, Tokpah said, beneficiaries will be required to purchase pipes and water meters, while the actual connection process will be managed by LWSC.
He encouraged residents to prepare for the process ahead of the project’s completion.
“We are pleased to support the government’s efforts in the WASH sector, and are excited to implement this important project in your community.
“It is our hope that when completed, residents will make maximum use of this facility.”
The project is implemented by Premier Group, a construction company selected through a competitive bidding process in accordance with national and international procurement standards.
CRS officials said, the selection process adhered to established best practices to ensure quality delivery.