By Preston Slami Panyonnoh
The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) says it will soon begin the construction of new water supply facilities in three counties, fulfilling part of President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to providing safe drinking water across the country.
LWSC Managing Director Mo Ali, speaking Wednesday at the Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO), disclosed that for the first time, residents of Sinoe and Maryland Counties will benefit from the erection of water supply facilities. At the same time, rehabilitation and expansion works will be carried out on the existing facility in Grand Gedeh County.
Ali emphasized that the initiative marks a historic step, particularly for Sinoe, which has had no running water since the end of Liberia’s civil war. “If completed, this will be the first of its kind for the county in decades,” he noted.
The development comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Boakai administration to ensure safe, accessible, and sustainable water supply across Liberia, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Sinoe, with a population of over 124,000 people (2022 estimate), has not had functional running water since the war. In Greenville City, which accounts for roughly 16,000 residents, the absence of safe drinking water has been a long-standing burden. Ali noted that the new facility, once completed, will mark the first-ever modern water system in the county.
“It is a major step in President Joseph Boakai’s commitment to ensure safe drinking water for every Liberian,” Ali said, adding that the project is expected to commence in the coming months.
The push for clean water in Sinoe is not new. During his tenure as Superintendent and later as Senator, J. Milton Teahjay strongly advocated for the renovation of the Greenville water system and appealed to LWSC to kick-start the process. However, his efforts fell short, reportedly due to political infighting and resistance from rivals who feared he would take credit for the project.
Currently, the premises of LWSC in Greenville are occupied by residents who purchased the property years ago from the Greenville City Corporation. LWSC has given the occupants an ultimatum to vacate, as the land must be cleared for contractors to begin work. Discussions are ongoing to relocate the affected residents before ground is broken.
For many in Sinoe, this project represents not just a development milestone but also the fulfillment of a basic human need long denied. With the county’s sizable population and Greenville serving as a key port city, the availability of safe drinking water is expected to bring both health and economic benefits.
