By Bill W. Cooper
The National Water and Sanitation Hygiene Commission (NWASHC) has successfully concluded a two-day workshop aimed at validating guidelines for the establishment of a drinking water company in Liberia.
The workshop, held at the NWASHC in Monrovia, brought together key stakeholders from various sectors, including government ministries, as it was designed to foster collaboration among stakeholders, ensuring that the guidelines reflect the country’s needs and realities.
The workshop featured a diverse array of participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).
Others are the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), among others.
The workshop, which ran from June 3-4, 2025, was also marked by presentations, group discussions, and interactive sessions that allowed participants to share insights and experiences related to water supply and sanitation in the country.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the NWASHC, Morris Gono, emphasized the importance of the workshop in addressing these challenges and said, “Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a critical component of public health.”
He explained, “As such, this workshop is a crucial step towards establishing a framework that will ensure the sustainable management of our water resources, coupled with collaborative efforts in regulating the sector.”
Mr. Gono, at the same time, highlighted the commission’s commitment to developing guidelines that would not only ensure the provision of safe water but also promote hygiene and sanitation practices across the country.
Gono further narrated that the guidelines being validated during the workshop would serve as a roadmap for the establishment and operation of all water company companies operating across Liberia.
He further touched on the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in achieving water and sanitation goals, and added, “Water is not just a health issue; as such, we must work together across sectors to create a holistic approach to water management.”
Closing the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NWASHC, George WK Yarngo reiterated the importance of continued collaboration among all stakeholders across the sector, encouraging them to use the knowledge acquired wisely.
He added, “The establishment of these guidelines is very important, and it is not just the responsibility of the commission to regulate; it requires the collective efforts of all of us. Together, we can create a sustainable and equitable water supply system for all Liberians.”
Meanwhile, participants, during the interactive sessions, engaged in group discussions to review the draft guidelines, which cover various aspects of the sector, including governance structures, operational procedures, and community engagement strategies.
The discussions were lively, with participants sharing their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in the country’s water sector, thereby candidly discussing the challenges facing the water sector in Liberia.
