Ellen Dedicates Several Hand Pumps in 3 Counties

In further efforts to provide safe drinking water to all Liberians, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at the weekend, dedicated 50 hand pumps in rural communities in three of the 15 counties – Bomi Margibi and Montserrado Counties.

An Executive Mansion release issued said at a symbolic dedication in Mount Barclay, just outside Monrovia, where one of the pumps was constructed, President Sirleaf praised the Government of the People’s Republic of China for providing the funds for the water project which she described as a milestone in providing safe drinking water to the Liberian people, especially those living in rural communities.

The project, coordinated by the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU), in the Office of the President, cost over US$1.5 million. It targeted communities and school campuses in the three counties as a Special Presidential Project.

Before cutting the ribbon to the borehole wells, the Liberian leader challenged the beneficiaries to use the facilities wisely, because doing so will encourage government and its partners to do more in not only providing safe drinking water to the people but to also improve sanitation around the communities.

Speaking earlier, China’s Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua, informed President Sirleaf that his country will continue to provide support to the people of Liberia in several areas including water, sanitation and education.

He said that China’s attraction to Liberia is particularly driven by the exemplary leadership of President Sirleaf which, he said, has pulled more Chinese support to Liberia’s recovery process.

Already, the Chinese Government is engaged in the construction of schools, roads and bridges, some on a contractual basis and others as grants, such as the construction of the Fendell Campus of the University of Liberia, the Buchanan Highway, the King Zolu Duma Bridge linking UN Drive to Bushrod Island, and the rehabilitation of Monrovia streets.

Also speaking at the dedication ceremony, Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods called on the communities to see the facilities as their own, and said that the Ministry will serve as a monitor to ensure that the water pumps are maintained.

He promised to recruit two persons from each community to carry out this monitoring role, and they will report to him regularly on the status of the hand pumps.