Liberia: Grand Kru Citizens Petition Legislative Caucus to prioritize WASH
By WASH R&E “Media” Network – Inhabitants of Buah and Forkpoh Districts in Grand Kru County have petitioned the local county authority and the Legislative Caucus to ensure that safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services are provided the two Districts. The citizens in their petition said they are tired of drinking from the creek and using the bushes for toilet purposes.
Grand Kru Legislative Caucus in a group photo With FERD officials and WaterAid Deputy Country Director
They noted that this poses threat to their survival, stressing the need for safe water and improved sanitation to be looked at critically in the County Development budget.
The Buah and Forkpoh inhabitants in their petition called on the Government of Liberia through the local county authorities and partners to work with their respective communities to improve WASH service delivery.
They are calling for a long-term solution to be found to reduce the numerous water, sanitation and hygiene challenges faced by the two Districts which are resulting to waterborne diseases and death particularly amongst children.
Grand Kru Legislative Caucus Chair, Dr. Peter Coleman
The inhabitants also want concessions operating in their communities’ support water, sanitation and hygiene needs of communities as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The petition was presented to the Legislative Caucus by the Foundation for the Empowerment of Rural Dwellers recently at the National Legislative.
Responding to the petition, the County Legislative Caucus assured WASH actors in the county that it will support initiatives intended to improve WASH service delivery in the county.
The county caucus says it will ensure that water, sanitation, and hygiene take the center age in the county’s development planning.
The Caucus’ Chairman, Senator Peter Coleman said water, sanitation, and hygiene are key to the delivery of basic social services.
Legislative Caucus Members during the meeting with FERD and WaterAid
Touching on the appointment of officials to the WASH Commission, Senator Coleman disclosed that the Caucus will exert all efforts to ensure that Commissioners are appointed to the newly established WAH Commission.
For his part, WaterAid Deputy Country Director for Liberia/Sierra Leone, Chuchu Selma noted that providing improved WASH service to inhabitants of Grand Kru is the paramount concern of his organization.
Mr. Selma indicated that the appalling WASH situation in Grand Kru can only be tackled through the collective efforts of stakeholders and citizens of the county.
Representative Fonati Koffa making remarks during the Meeting
He assured the Caucus that WaterAid Liberia will remain supportive of a program that is gear toward changing the status of WASH in the county.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Foundation for Empowerment of Rural Dwellers, Jonah Toe called on duty bearers of the county to give priority to water, sanitation, and hygiene in the County Development Budget.
Mr. Toe said residents of the two Districts are in dire need of improved WASH services, adding that prioritizing water, sanitation, and hygiene in the county’s development budget will go a long way in solving some of the WASH challenges in the county.
