As UNDP Commissions Modern Solar-powered Water Facility worth over US$$83
Monrovia, Liberia – Residents of Donfah Community in Yellequelleh Administrative District, Bong County has a reason to celebrate as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially commissioned a Solar-Powered Water Facility values at (US$83,711.82) in the area.
This is a significant achievement with the inauguration of a modern solar-powered water facility which will serve more than 2,000 inhabitants, it promises to provide safe and clean drinking water, thus addressing longstanding health threats and other related to waterborne diseases caused by reliance on contaminated water sources.
The official ceremony was well attended government officials, community dwellers, elders, youth groups, including women and children. The ACDP (Accelerated Community Development Programme) is a flagship Programme co-funded by the Government of Liberia and the UNDP and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the real needs of the most vulnerable rural populations. Its implementation is expected to have an immediate impact on reducing poverty while accelerating socio-economic development in rural communities.
Additionally, the program aims to help strengthen human capital and resilience to shocks and pandemics, as well as facilitates and contributes to the implementation of the national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and by extension to apply all efforts in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
Louis Kuukpen, is the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Programme, urged residents in Donfah to use the water facility and Promote Reconciliation in their community, emphasizing the transformative impact of the facility. “This is not just about water; it’s about creating livelihood opportunities and fostering reconciliation within the community. Mr. Kuukpen addressing scores of inhabitants in Donfah, disclosed that each kiosk associated with the water facility will have business service windows, enabling women entrepreneurs to establish small businesses for the purpose of its maintenance.
The UNDP has also provided startup cash for two women to manage these kiosks. However, the modern infrastructure features a solar-powered system that ensures a reliable supply of clean water and includes a chlorination unit for purification. This advancement is expected to reduce the vulnerabilities faced by women and children who previously traveled long distances for water, exposing them to potential violence.
According to Kuukpen UNDP is commitment to financial inclusion and access to digital financial services, promising collaborations with mobile money providers to support women operating the kiosks. He highlighted the achievement as part of the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP), aimed at bolstering rural development in Liberia.
In order to achieve the 2030 target, the Government of Liberia and its partners such as UNDP must prioritize and significantly improve water access for its citizens. Notably, diarrheal diseases, maternal disorders, neonatal disorders, and malnutrition among the top ten causes of death in Liberia, are all associated with poor access to and quality of water. However, this effort by the UNDP is parallel to achieving the 2020 agenda of the UN.
A recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UNICEF 2023 Joint Monitoring Programme Report on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) revealed that in Liberia, 76% of the 5 million population had access to basic water, with a collection time of not more than 30 minutes for a round-trip. This left over 1.1 million people without access to basic drinking water. Target 6.1 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically emphasizes the achievement of universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
Bill Massaquoi, is from the office of the Minister of State, he echoed the significance of the facility and urged the community to prioritize its maintenance. “This facility belongs to you; it’s now your responsibility to manage it effectively,” he stated.
In the context of the government’s Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism (ARREST) agenda, there have been a growing concern about the prioritization of WASH. Shockingly, the Senate has already removed the meager USD$150,000, the only allocation for WASH in the 2024 National Budget. The government’s contribution to WASH is significantly low at merely 4.3 per cent of the total sector allocation, and the balance 95.7 per cent met through donor funding.
The government in 2022 committed itself to supporting the ACDP through the provision of $100m USD for the first three years but to date has only contributed an initial amount of $3m USD. The Programme to date has invested huge portion of the initial $3m USD into procuring agriculture machinery and equipment, valued over $700 thousand USD and deployed them with over 12 beneficiary cooperatives across fourteen communities in six counties including Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Nimba and Rivercess.
Additionally, the Programme has invested in other social services such as the construction of state-of-the-art water infrastructures in five communities across three counties in Bong, Gbarpolu and Rivercess with three of the water facilities completed already. In health, seven ambulances were procured and handed over to the Ministry of Health to enhance its service delivery in communities in Bomi, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Nimba, Riveree and Rivercess.
Meanwhile, the ACDP has successfully facilitated elections for five-member board of directors across 12 agricultural cooperatives, with support from the Cooperative Development Agency (CDA). These trainings are in additionally to previous trainings in the operation, maintenance and servicing of tractors provided to about 28 cooperative members (14 males and 14 females) by Cape Automotive Solutions, Inc., a local New Holland dealer, Currently, one of the completed water facilities in Donfah, Bong County is ready for dedication and handover to the community.
This is in addition to 16 motorbikes (YAMAHA) already procured and ready to be donated to the Ministry of Agriculture. The donation is to further demonstrate the programmers’ commitment to lifting rural farmers out of poverty and reducing inequality by investing in the logistical capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure effective monitoring and provision of technical support to farmers across Liberia, especially cooperatives within ACDP supported communities and counties. The costs of these interventions are summarized in the below matrix for reference.
Community leaders, including Chairlady Esther Giddings, expressed their gratitude, committing to the facility’s upkeep and recognizing its potential to enhance the quality of life. Yellequelleh district Commissioner, Boye Valcpeah Saclcie also called for the expansion of similar projects to other communities to further promote safety and hope in the region.
The ceremony underscored UNDP’s ongoing efforts in Liberia, particularly through initiatives aimed at addressing the pressing needs of rural populations by investing in essential services like agriculture, water, health, and education. As part of the events, over twenty farmers also received certification for completing training in tractor operations, thus further demonstrating the UNDP’s multifaceted approach to community development and empowerment.
The inauguration of the water facility marks a promising step towards improved living conditions and economic opportunities for the people of Donfah Bong County, illustrating the impact of collaborative efforts between the Government of Liberia and its international development partners.
Reported by: Simeon S. Wiakanty
Contact: +231881538878
