ON NEW PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION, MD ALI ASSURES WOLRD BANK’S TEAM

The Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, LWSC Hon. 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 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 with all necessary support required for the successful implementation of the pipeline replacement project; stressing the significance of the Bank’s project as paramount to both the LWSC and the government of Liberia.

The World Bank has provided about 12 million US dollars 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 as well as catching up with the slippage gap 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 a key function of the project implementation unit, (PIU) and at the same time call on members of the PIU to ensure that all projects of the Bank, especially the current thirty-six-inch replacement project under the Liberia Urban Supply and Sanitation Project, (LUWSSP), are properly manage and implemented”, MD Ali furthered.

MD Ali promised to keenly consider the schedule for the importation of the materials – pipes, and fitting – needed for the project in the country, noting that this is a very significant 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 the 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 Liberian 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 ends 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 of Liberia’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 this support from you is timely and more beneficial to all of us as it helps us meet our government’s priorities and obligations to our people”, Ali asserted.

MD Ali also assured the Bank that his management will provide the proper oversight in ensuring that pressure is put on the consultant and if needed, the contractor for rapid progress in the project especially as we approach the rainy season in Liberia.

“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 project”, MD Ali told his guests.

The LWSC boss expressed optimism that the project will be completed and turned over provisionally to the LWSC 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 Liberian 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 whilst 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, it is expected to amongst other things increase water pressure within the Corporation’s network and ensure uninterrupted supply within the city limits and beyond.

Signed

P U B L I C R E L A T I O N S