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By Precious D. Freeman
The Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), Mohammed Ali, has disclosed that the agency continues to face major challenges in collecting revenue, despite persistent efforts to enhance service delivery across the country.
Speaking at a sector review meeting attended by representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Ali laid bare the realities confronting the utility provider.
“Many of these systems were only intended to last 50 years. Our biggest challenge as a ministry, however, remains revenue collection,” he pointed out, underlining how aging infrastructure and poor payment compliance have hampered LWSC’s operational efficiency.
Despite efforts to improve service delivery, Mr. Ali said customer cooperation in settling water bills remains alarmingly low.
“If we were able to collect even 90% of billed amounts, our operational capacity would be greatly improved,” he noted. “Currently, we lose a significant portion of water through leaks and unmetered usage.”
Referencing the latest financial data, Ali revealed that the corporation billed over $1 million USD to customers during the first quarter of 2025, but only managed to recover about 30% of that amount.
This gap, he said, continues to strain the institution’s ability to meet demand and invest in expansion.
To address the issue, the LWSC has begun exploring alternative revenue collection models.
“One model we’ve studied is the prepaid metering system, which has proven effective in neighboring countries,” Ali stated. “Our projections suggest that introducing prepaid meters could raise our collection efficiency to over 85%, increasing revenue from $1.5 million in a single quarter and helping us better cover our operational costs.”
Ali said pilot testing of prepaid meters is already underway and that the utility has a verified customer base of between 17,000 and 20,000 households.
“We aim to serve more across additional counties as we scale our program,” he added, noting that this initiative forms a core component of LWSC’s future plans.
In a show of government commitment, Mr. Ali announced that the LWSC has completed the procurement of several new water supply systems, with all funding provided entirely by the Government of Liberia.
He described the move as a significant step toward long-term infrastructure sustainability and development.
The Managing Director also called for increased public-private partnerships, especially in rehabilitating Monrovia’s outdated sewage system.
“If we can rehabilitate the Monrovia sewer network, we can comply fully with our legal obligation to collect and treat all sewage within the system,” he said.
He mentioned Bushrod Island and other high-density communities as priority areas for sewer rehabilitation and expansion, stressing that such upgrades require robust investment from both the public and private sectors.
“Once our strategic plan is finalized, we’ll launch a public campaign to engage private sector partners, showing them the potential for revenue generation while contributing to national development,” Ali said.
Concluding his presentation, Ali expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for its presence and engagement.
“Thank you again for being here. We look forward to officially processing your feedback and working collaboratively to deliver lasting solutions,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Ali acknowledged his surprise and gratitude at the Ministry’s participation. “We are a little surprised but grateful that the Ministry of Finance is here with us today,” he said. “Your presence shows the importance of this engagement.”
He reflected on his initial expectations, admitting he anticipated a brief session. “When I was first informed about the deep dive process, I thought it would be a brief session. While I know you may not spend a year with us, we are truly honored by your presence,” he added.
Ali welcomed all participants and outlined LWSC’s broader service goals. “We are proud to share how we are working to improve governance and expand services to all county capitals and communities with a population of 9,000 or more,” he said.
He also previewed LWSC’s draft five-year strategic plan, which aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism).
“While we’ve made significant progress, we also face many challenges one of the most pressing being our aging infrastructure,” he concluded.
Speaking further, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the water sector, describing it as a critical pillar of national development.
Minister Ngafuan praised the institution’s leadership and pledged continued collaboration under the government’s “Deep Dive” initiative.
“First, I’d like to recognize my colleague, our Assistant Minister for External Resources and all our dedicated technical team members,” Ngafuan began. “We’re honored to be here today as part of our ongoing ‘Deep Dive’ series, which allows us to engage meaningfully with key sectors of national development.”
The Minister explained that over the past few weeks, the Ministry has conducted similar engagements with the Agriculture, Health, and Energy sectors.
“Today, we’re here to dive into Water a sector so fundamental that it’s often said, ‘Water is life,’” he said. “Water is critical not just for health and sanitation, but also for disease control, education, and economic productivity.”
Emphasizing the Ministry’s role, Ngafuan stated, “We are here not just as observers, but as partners to listen, to learn, and to support.”
He applauded LWSC for its impact on communities and for maintaining an energized and motivated workforce.
“Let me commend the leadership of this institution,” he continued. “We see your work in the field. We feel your impact across communities. That matters to us at the Ministry of Finance.”
Ngafuan added that strong institutional performance strengthens the Ministry’s ability to advocate for more resources and attract donor support.
The Minister cited recent conversations with development partners, including the World Bank, who reaffirmed their commitment to investing in Liberia’s water infrastructure.
“Your institution is central to that conversation,” he noted, adding that the LWSC Managing Director’s nickname “Mr. More Water” reflects the public’s expectations and the critical role of water in transforming lives.
“Water isn’t just about taps and pipes; it’s about dignity,” Ngafuan emphasized.
He illustrated this point by referencing Liberia’s education sector. “Three new high schools are being built in counties like Lofa and Bomi under the Excel Project. But those schools also need clean water and sanitation. That’s where your work becomes indispensable.”
Painting a picture of the government’s broader development vision, he said, “We want our people to say: ‘In my country, there is good water supply. We have electricity. We have good roads.’ They don’t need to call any Minister’s name to enjoy the basics of life. That is the Liberia we are working to build.”
The Finance Minister likened his Ministry to the heart of the government, pumping resources to all sectors. But, he cautioned, “Even with a strong heart, if the limbs like water and energy do not receive timely support, the whole body suffers.”
He closed with a call for honest dialogue and improved efficiency. “Let’s keep the focus on delivery. Everyone wants more money, but the key question is: how well are we using what we already have?”
Ngafuan stressed that the Deep Dive process is designed not only to request more funding, but to address delays and inefficiencies that hinder progress. “As we begin today’s technical discussions, I want to sincerely thank all of you,” he said. “You wear a badge of honor on your foreheads because you are indeed honorable people, doing important work. Let’s dive deep, let’s be honest, and let’s keep delivering for the Liberian people,” he said.