By Linus Flomo
The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) recently concluded a collaborative session with Sierra Leone’s Water and Sanitation Corporation (SIEWACO).
The day-long information-sharing and familiarization session in Monrovia underscored a mutual commitment to tackle regional challenges in water management and explore avenues for operational growth.
This meeting brought together key stakeholders from both nations’ public utilities, who engaged in a constructive dialogue aimed at sharing expertise, identifying common challenges, and examining opportunities to improve water and sanitation services.
The discussions were marked by a spirit of collaboration, with representatives from both corporations acknowledging the critical importance of cross-border partnerships in the face of pressing public health and environmental concerns.
During the session, Mo Ali, representing the LWSC, extended gratitude to Dr. Harrison Harvey, the Deputy Managing Director of SIEWACO, for facilitating this initiative.
Ali highlighted that both LWSC and SIEWACO share a common vision: to deliver better water and sanitation services to their respective populations.
“Our goals align closely, and by sharing insights into our infrastructure and ongoing projects, we can collectively address the complex challenges of water access and sanitation in Liberia and Sierra Leone,” Ali stated.
Ali also provided an overview of LWSC’s infrastructure and the ongoing projects designed to expand access to clean water across Liberia.
He outlined some of the corporation’s strategies for meeting the demands of growing urban populations and tackling the persistent challenges of water scarcity, water quality, and outdated infrastructure.
Dr. Harvey echoed Ali’s sentiments on the importance of regional collaboration, advocating for a more formalized partnership between the two entities.
Harvey proposed that the exchange could serve as a model for a broader, ECOWAS-backed framework for water and sanitation services across West Africa.
He likened the idea to regional collaborations in other sectors, such as aviation, that have brought improvements in operational standards and service delivery.
“We face similar obstacles in water management and sanitation,” Dr. Harvey remarked. “A partnership like this could lead to regional solutions, creating more resilient and sustainable water services for the welfare of our people.”
This initial meeting has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration, with LWSC representatives planning a follow-up visit to SIEWACO’s headquarters in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
The exchange will allow both corporations to gain a closer understanding of each other’s operational strategies and further solidify their commitment to mutual support.
With water scarcity and sanitation challenges impacting millions in both Liberia and Sierra Leone, stakeholders have expressed optimism that these collaborative efforts will yield long-term benefits, particularly in advancing public health and sustainable development.
As both LWSC and SIEWACO seek to move forward with plans for cross-border cooperation, there is hope that their efforts will inspire other West African nations to pursue similar partnerships, fostering a unified approach to addressing one of the region’s most pressing needs: access to safe, reliable water and sanitation services.
