Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Africa water, Sanitation Mar- Apr 2015 Vol.10 No.2 | Page 7

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Kenya

projects aimed at delivering what he referred to as a “basic
human rights.”

Mandera Locals Drill Borehole, Find Aquifer

Minister Konneh made the assertions at the recently held
Presidential State Owned Enterprise (SOE) retreat, where
he referred to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation
(LWSC) as a “stellar SOE performer.” Minister Konneh
noted that LWSC was the one SOE, which had significantly
raised its asset evaluation, dropped its dependency on
government resources by 57 percent, increased its revenue
by 150 percent, while significantly making its presence felt.
The accolades and praises for the corporation, which
was once considered as one of Liberia’s poorest
performing SOEs comes after more than a decade of
weak performance and deliverables from LWSC. Barely
two years ago, LWSC abilities only allowed it to supply
a limited amount of water on a rationed basis to certain
parts of Monrovia for a limited number of hours per day.
With much effort and hurdles to cross, the corporation has
increased its production capacity, assures a constant supply
of water and ensures that a vast and expanding population
of the capital has access to its services.

A massive aquifer has been discovered in Takaba subcounty
of Mandera.
An aquifer is an underground water reservoir.
The discovery was made when the Mandera county
government drilled a borehole at Darwed.
The borehole on the aquifer sits upon a massive aquifer
and pumps clean water at a rate of 30,0000 cubic metres
per hour.
Previously, residents relied on the
Wangeidhan,15km from Takaba town.

borehole

at

The Wangeidhan borehole, which produces salty water,
served nearly 50,000 residents.
Governor Ali Roba joined the residents in celebrating the
new project.
He said his government will pump clean water to the
surrounding towns.
“Water has always been scarce in Takaba. It is unbelievable
that sweet water was within the reach of Takaba people,”
Roba said.
He said his government will ensure residents and livestock
have sufficient water during the dry season.
An exuberant 55-year-old community elder in Darwed
could not hide his excitement. He termed the project a
miracle. “We have been facing water shortages since before
and after independence. Now it’s over,” he said.
Other projects are expected in Dandu, Kobadadi, ShimbirFatuma, Burmayo, Sukela, Tinfa and Bambo.
Water executive Ahmed Ali said the county government
will map out areas with aquifers through satellite and other
technology.

Liberia
Government Says its Prioritizing Water in 2015
Monrovia
—
Liberia’s
Finance
Minister,
Amara
Konneh
has
highlighted that the
Liberia Water and
Sewer Corporation
has
started
to
Girl at a water pump, Monrovia
prove its ability to
deliver on promises while at the same time accounting for
funds provided by the government for capital investment

With the confidence that has been built, the Liberian
government is planning to invest over US$10 million
in the water sector for improved