LIBERIA: WASH R&E “Media” Microscopes GoL WASH commitments
The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia has done a microscopic analysis of National and International WASH Commitments signed unto by the Liberian government.
These Commitments are part of efforts to mitigate the unacceptable gaps in access to water, sanitation and hygiene, fragmentation in governance and improve sustainability of facilities and services.
WASH R&E microscopic analysis of the Commitments by the government of Liberia with assistance of local and international development partners with set targets, accompany programs and financing commitments dated as far back as 2000.
After several efforts by government and WASH partners from 2011, the WASH sector of Liberia was on the path of transformation with the compilation and signing of the Liberia WASH Compact, the Roadmap for WASH in Liberia.
WASH R&E now looks at National and International Commitments, timeline and status of progress so far.
Under the Liberia WASH Compact, Commitment One-Establish and Strengthen Institutional Capacity, the Liberian government committed itself to: Appoint National Water Resources and Sanitation Board (NWRSB), Establish National WASH Commission, and Establish National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Committee in 2011. All of these Commitments were achieved.
But operationalizing required Institutions yet to be achieved by the Government of Liberia, inclusive of the most talked about WASH Commission which is yet to be operational, meaning, no progress yet.
There is however slow progress by the Liberian government regarding Mandate Assessment and Strengthening of County level structures within existing Policies.
Under Commitment Two-Ensure equity and prioritize service provision, there is slow progress in Mandate implementation of WASH standards and regulations protocols since 2011, while achievement has been made in Mainstream WASH in the educational system, Ensure policies have a strong emphasis on government, and support community led approaches to sanitation and hygiene promotion in 2011, have been achieved.
Under Commitment Three-Develop a monitoring system, Establish monitoring mechanisms, that GoL commits to sharing of WASH data/information (LISGIS) internally and externally, and Institute reviews of commitment made in the compact from 2011 were achieved, while there is no progress for Refine and disaggregate the structures of budget (Ministry o Finance) from 2011.
UnderCommitment Four-Improve Sector Financing Mechanism, Establish a detailed, prioritized sector investment plan from 2011 has been achieved, while there is no progress on Deliver on GoL previous financial commitment, and Establish a WASH pooled fund mechanism.
UnderLiberia’s Statement of Commitment SWA 2012, there is slow progress in Allocation of a minimum of 0.5% of GDP to sanitation and hygiene through the eThekwini Declaration and Implement water supply and sanitation policy (WSSP) to ensure a functional National Water Resources and Sanitation Board from 2012.
While there is no progress in the Creation of clear and distinct budget lines for water, sanitation and hygiene within the National Budget of Liberia, and Implement Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Bureau and Directorate for Community mobilization and Hygiene Promotion from 2012.
There has however been a progress to Develop monitoring and evaluation system for the WASH Sector, and Continue to respond to future GLAAS surveys from 2012.
But sadly and regrettably, underLiberia’s Statement of Commitment SWA 2014, there is no progress in the following Commitments:
– The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will work with the Ministry of Finance to include budget lines for sanitation, hygiene promotion and water quality surveillance in the National Budget by 2015
– The Ministry of Education will work with the Ministry of Finance to include a budget line for water, sanitation and hygiene in the National Budget by 2015
– The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation will work with the Ministry of Finance to include budget line for urban sewerage in the National Budget by 2015
– City Corporations or municipalities will work with the Ministry of Finance to include a budget line for urban sanitation in the National Budget by 2015
– The Ministry of Finance will work to create a sustainable sanitation fund for sanitation by 2015
– The Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy will work along with the WASH Sector Ministries and DPs to complete a feasibility study by 2016 to establish a WASH pool fund in order to enhance financing and strengthen national processes
– The Ministry of Finance will secure and disperse funds for sanitation by 2015.
In conclusion, Twelve (12) out of Twenty-eight (28) Commitments have been achieved,
Four (4) out of Twenty-eight (28) Commitments are making slow progress in realization, and
Twelve (12) out of Twenty-eight (28) Commitments have made no progress.
These Twenty-eight (28) Commitments were drawn from national and international development, WASH specific planning and commitment documents before been made to SWA and in the WASH Compact.
Click here for National and International WASH commitments
