The Ministry of Public Works on March 18, consummated two major contracts with a local vendor for the procurement and delivery of several essential equipment critical to enhancing drainage and sewer cleaning operations in Greater Monrovia. The interventions are made possible through the World Bank-financed Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP).
When signed, the deal will enable the Liberian-based firm, Family Line Energies, to procure and supply a consignment of high-performance equipment and devices urgently needed by the Ministry of Public Works and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) to improve drainage and sewer cleaning operations in Greater Monrovia.
Among other things, the items to be procured include dump trucks, backhoe loader, portable pumps, high-pressure truck-mounted Jitter, and a combination sewer truck, with a combined value of US$1,245,000.
Clogged drainages pose a major challenge to the population of Monrovia, contributing to the frequent waves of flooding events in recent years, especially given the huge solid waste management challenge confronting the city, partly characterized by waste disposal in drainages.
Similarly, clogged sewers result in frequent sewage overflows in the streets of Central Monrovia, leading to pollution, which affect the environment and quality of life of the residents. Securing these vital equipment is critical to enhancing the capacity of both the MPW and LWSC to address these pressing environmental and urbanization issues.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings expressed his administration’s commitment to improving public infrastructure and supporting the realization of a healthy environment. Mr. Giddings also emphasized the need for empowering local businesses and expressed optimism for a productive partnership between the MPW and the Family Line Energies.
The move is part of a bigger urban management capacity-building program under the Liberia Urban Resilience Project (LURP), targeting Monrovia, Paynesville, Buchanan, Gbarnga, and Ganta.
The Liberia Urban Resilience Project is a six-year partnership between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and the World Bank (WB) to improve urban planning and flood and climate resilience in Liberia through transformative infrastructural and capacity-building initiatives.
With US$40 million financing from the WB, the project aims to enhance flood resilience and improve access to basic services by constructing/rehabilitating drainages and financing market and community upgrading investments, as well as enhancing the planning and management capabilities of the five (5) beneficiary municipalities of Monrovia, Paynesville, Buchanan, Gbarnga and Ganta.
