Gusceman Business Development and Support Services, the only local firm in partnership with Concern Worldwide, Anthena Infonomic, and PSi as the prime, has ended a three-day Countywide Sanitation Activity for business partners, an orientation to eradicate open defecation through the accessibility awareness and affordability of basic improved toilets in Liberia.
Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) is a project that is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by PSI, Concern Worldwide, Athena Infonomic and Gusceman, a Liberian consultant firm with the aim of building excellent growth and prosperity in Liberia and several other international organizations.
The three-day Partners orientation workshop was held in Gbarnga, Bong County, from July 17-19, with the goal of ensuring that open defecation is eradicated through awareness and the use of the newly launched household basic improved modern toilet.
Additionally, the five-year USAID funded project, which started last year October, seeks to end open defecation in five counties, namely Bong, Nimba, Lofa, rural Montserrado and Grand Bassa Counties.
The first phase of the initiative brought together over 75 participants from 3 counties, 22 from Lofa, 30 from Nimba, and 20 from Bong, all from the business sector.
Giving an overview of the business partners training and presentation, Gusceman General Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Diabolo, said that the workshop is intended to educate and train entrepreneurs from the five counties about the importance and significance of the adoption of the basic improved toilet.
According to him, the new improved toilet is a rubber made that is affordable and accessible, with the aim of making the product accessible to the targeted counties.
“We brought those business people here to tell them about the product. The product is long lasting and very cheap. The standing improved toilet is US$15 while the small one is US$10. This product, when taken to every part of those counties, will end open defecation in Liberia” he added.
Making a special remark at the program, Internal Affairs Minister for Urban Affairs, Paulita CC Wie, expressed excitement and appreciation over the product and the workshop.
According to her, ending open defecation is paramount to President George Weah, urging all local officials and stakeholders to join the campaign in ending open defecation across the country.
“We thank you all for coming and participating. We also thank our partners USAID for the support of this project. We want you to go back to your various counties, communities and neighborhoods, and tell your people about this product, that they may all have it, to end open defecation in Liberia” she concluded.
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Liberia Water Sanitation and Hygiene Commission, Mr. Bobby Whitfield, expressed excitement and delight to the Countywide Sanitation Activity CWSA for the initiative.
“This government is very concerned about ending open defecation in Liberia and this starts with the selling and purchasing of this new product, which is very affordable. With this, I can assure you that after this five-year project, we will end open defecation in the entire country,” he assured.
