Liberia loses US$17.5M annually
A local youth organization, United Youth for Peace Transparency and Development in Liberia (UYPTDL) is alarming here that due to poor sanitation, Liberia loses US$17.5 Million annually.
Executive Director Timothy Kpeh, says studies have established that the country’s water and sanitation program is very poor and needs improvement. According to him, 1.2 million Liberians live in unsanitary condition or share latrines, while 1.7 million of the population has no latrine at all and defecate in the open with the poorest among them almost seven times more likely to practice open defecation.
He spoke over the weekend during a meeting with members of the Liberian Senate at the Capitol Building on the need to enact the Wash bill into law. The meeting was held under the auspices of Water-Aid International.
The Deputy Country Director for Water-Aid, Chuchu K. Selma, says his group is in partnership with Oxfam and other international groups operating in Liberia. Mr. Selma expresses optimism that with the meeting with senators, the WASH bill will passed into law, adding the dream of Water-Aid International is to see Liberians in better living condition, including good sanitary facility.
Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan Kaipay, stresses that water issue should not be taken lightly, and assures the youth group that the WASH bill will be legislated.
Senator Kaipay notes that due to poor health and lack of safe-drinking water, many Liberians die from curable diseases.
-Editing by Jonathan Browne
