LIBERIA: Chevron Contributes to WASH Sector
…Provides US$ 200.000 to Living Water Int’l for Drilling Machine – By: Augustine N. Myers – Living Water International, an organizational proving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in Liberia has started 2013 on a good level as it is a proud recipient of a two hundred thousand United States dollar-grant.
Signing of the Grant Agreement between Living Water International-Liberia Country Director, Ambaye Zekewos(Left), and Chevron Liberia Limited Country Manager, Karl Cottrell(right)
The grant provided by an oil drilling exploration company, “Chevron Liberia Limited” is for the purpose of purchasing one Drilling Rig that can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation of Living Water International in Liberia.
The official Grant Signing ceremony took place on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Country Office of Living Water International-Liberia located Tower Hill, on the Roberts Field Highway.
Speaking at the program, Chevron Liberia Limited Country Manager, Karl Cottrell said he sees Living Water as a fulfillment of several capacities that are paramount to Chevron’s corporate responsibilities.
He said he was happy to know that 90% of the workforce of Living Water was Liberians, something he described as capacity building for the Nation and people and also a co-foundation to things that Chevron is doing.
According to him, there were lots of commonalities of what Chevron was doing in Liberia with respect to drilling exploration for oil and what Living Water is doing in drilling water.
Display of copy of the Grant Agreement signed between Living Water International-Liberia and Chevron Liberia Limited Country Manager
Quoting the Grant Agreement, Chevron Country Manager said there was a lack of 45% safe water in Liberia, so his Institution was pleased working with Living Water for the realization of providing a cup of water in Jesus’ Name (Motto of Living Water Int’l).
According to Mr. Cottrell, Chevron Liberia Limited was happy to be involved with Living Water International-Liberia and that his company looks forward to the results of serving the communities through the provision of clean, safe and available drinking water always.
He said Chevron Liberia Limited also looks forward to a strong relationship and partnership with Living Water International-Liberia in the drilling and construction of more hand pump wells.
For his part, Living Water International-Liberia Country Director, Ambaye Zekewos said his organization has the responsibility to serve Liberia through the development of safe water sources, sanitation facilities and provide hygiene education.
He said the contribution of Chevron would have a greater impact on the WASH sector of Liberia, providing other sector actors the opportunity to make use of the equipment as well.
Mr. Zekewos commanded Chevron for the contribution and other partners that have worked to ensure the success of the Grant Agreement Signing ceremony, and expressed best wishes to all in the cost of fast development of the WASH sector and Liberia.
The Grant Agreement between Living Water International-Liberia and Chevron Liberia Limited is for one year.
Living Water International-Liberia, as part of its 2013 activities has planned to construct 30 new boreholes and rehabilitate 50 wells, and Train 80 Community Hygiene Promoters, among others.
The Drilling Machine which is shortly expected in the country, will drill up to 200 meters, and will serve as a relieve to other WASH sector actors engaged in the construction of hand pump wells.
The Grant Agreement Signing Ceremony between Chevron Liberia Limited and Living Water International-Liberia was witnessed by the Margibi County Authority, Public Works Ministry, Liberia WASH Consortium, WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia, Tower Hill community residents and staff of both Institutions.
The invitees in remarks extolled Chevron for the initiative and said it will go a long way in addressing the problem of safe drinking water and more hand pumps across Liberia.
They also challenged other individuals and Institutions that have the financial capacity to emulate the fine example of Chevron Liberia.
