MONROVIA, LIBERIA-WaterAid and Partners have concluded a day-long Wash Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) Report Validation Meeting in Monrovia.
The validation meeting was intended to address pressing issues affecting Wash services across the country.
Giving the overview of the meeting, WaterAid Country Director, Chuchu Selma, said the report identifies factors hindering the progress of the Wash service, low prioritization of Wash, a bridge in the institution’s framework, and limited capacity, among others.
Mr. Selma also stressed that the preliminary findings show that the annual cost of inadequate wash service in Liberia is estimated at two hundred thirty-one million dollars in 2023.
The WaterAid Country Director believes that the validation meeting will help change the existing findings gathered during the past year, urging partners and other stakeholders to take urgent action to address the situation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the National WASH Commission of Liberia, George Yarngo, says one of the pivotal ways governments can achieve their agenda is by accessing reliable data, which will identify progress and challenges of the government.
Mr. Yarngo quotes the World Bank’s report on Liberia’s water, sanitation, and hygiene sector as saying ‘for every US Dollar spent on water and sanitation, there are significant gains to help better the lives of citizens.
He noted that these gains help reduce medical costs, the cost of health services, and increase school services, among others.
The WASH Commission Boss also disclosed that the lack of proper sanitation costs Liberia approximately 17.5 million annually, with more than three thousand deaths each year.
Mr. Yarngo wants WaterAid and partners, including the government focus on reliable data to help reduce the existing challenge faced by the Sector.
By: Stanley Johnson
