CSO Group Commends Government On WASH JSR Preparation

The Liberia Youth WASH Coalition has commended the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Work for the level of preparation made thus far for the upcoming Joint Sector Review (JSR).

LYWC made the statement on Wednesday, April 10, 2018, in Monrovia when senior officials of the organization pay a courtesy call on the Assistant Minister for Community Services and the Deputy Minister for Rural Development & Communities Services respectively at the Ministry of Public Works.

Welcoming the LWYC team, Assistant Public Work Minister for Community Services, Bolton Dennis thank the visiting team for their support and stressed that the Government remains committed to the holding of the 4th Joint Sector Review.

Minister Dennis furthered inform the team that WASH remains a major focus of the Government in achieving its pro-poor agenda especially in providing safe drinking water for the rural dwellers.

Also welcoming the visiting delegation of LYWC, Deputy Minister for Rural Development, Benjamin Banto stated that the Ministry remains a major partner to CSOs working in the WASH sector. Minister Banto furthered stated that Water is Life especially safe drinking water and the Government is committed to ensuring that citizens have safe drinking water and better sanitation in urban and rural settings. He thanked the LWYC delegation for the visit and continuous support to the Government over the years.

For his part, LYWC National Program Manager, James Koryor stated that the Government of Liberia has made tremendous strive in the WASH sector, however, there are still many challenges that need to be address and the Joint Sector Review will set the pace for evaluation, recommendation as well as identifying current challenges.

Mr. Koryor used the occasion to re-emphasize his organization support to ensuring that the JSR is held successfully. The LWYC executive also commended strategic partners of the process to continue their support to the WASH sector and extended commendation to the National WASH Promoting Committee for the level of coordination of the sector over the years.

For his part, LYWC inter-sector Coordinator, Samuel James Kpartor stated that the Government of Liberia has signed many protocols and made commitments to achieving water and sanitation for all and the JRS will give CSOs and stakeholders a broader understanding of where the Government stands in terms of successes, challenges, opportunities, and prospects.

Also making remarks, the Coordinator of the National Water & Sanitation Promotion Committee, Abdul Koroma thanked the LYWC for the visit and promised his committee fullest cooperation to work with LYWC and other CSOs in hosting the 4th Joint Sector Review.

Mr. Koroma stated that the fourth review is expected to be particularly different mainly in context, structure and outputs. Current trends in the global water and sanitation landscape, heightened by the adoption of the new global goals have contributed to these changes in the JSR structure. With the new goals also come the need to align indicators, set new realistic national targets and conceive a national program that syncs with the global conversation on WASH he stressed.

The NWSPC coordinator also stressed a recent study of JSR processes around the world suggests that despite its effectiveness in assessing performance and “providing a reliable overview of finance, implementation, institutions, gaps and bringing sector stakeholders together” , governments have been largely unable to include an operative element within JSRs to ensure that undertakings and priorities are followed-up on.

The Liberia Youth WASH Coalition (LYWC) a consortium of civil society youth-led organizations campaigning for youth participation and recognition in achieving local access to safe drinking Water, sustainable sanitation and hygiene for all at every level through research, policy advocacy, awareness, sensitization and capacity development.