LIBERIA: President Weah makes appointments to WASH Commission, but!
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – Liberian President, George Weah has finally made appointments to the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Commission. Those appointed are Bobby Whitfield, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Salia Kamara, Executive Director.
Liberian President, George Weah
Others include the Board of Directors of the National WASH Commission, headed by Public Works Minister as Chair, Lands Mines & Energy Minister-Member, Health Minister-Member, Education Minister-Member, and the Managing Director of the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation-Member.
Others are, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia-Member, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency-Member, WASH Civil Society Organization Representative, Prince Kreplah-Member, and Private Sector Representative, Ernest Sharpe-Member.
The appointments to the National WASH Commission by the President have however come with mixed reactions.
WASH Actors have generally welcomed the appointments which are long overdue, but with observations that the President has violated the National WASH Commission Act of 2012.
Chapter 5 of the Act says the Commission shall have a Secretariat, headed by the Executive Director who shall be hired through a merit based appointment procedure led by the Liberia Civil Service Commission (Agency) and shall serve as the principal deputy reporting directly to the Chairman.
They argued that the President violated the WASH Commission Act by appointing the Executive Director, something they expressed fear might under the efficiency and productivity of the newly established WASH Commission.
