LIBERIA – The Liberian government is said to have depleted the budget of the National Wash Commission.
The National Wash Commission has the statutory role to ensure safe drinking water and improved sanitation in the communities, schools, and clinics.
According to reliable sources, the amount of US$500,000 allotted for the commission has been depleted.
The money was the first-ever budgetary allocation under the Weah government for the National WASH Commission to address crucial water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of the people, following years of advocacy by the Liberia WASH CSOs Network.
The government during the current budget period announced five hundred thousand (500,000) USD for the WASH Commission, a move that was welcomed by WASH CSOs but later took away 250,000 for what it called pressing national issues.
Without Wash Commission using a dime from the amount, Smart News Liberia has gathered that the government has taken the balance of US$250,000 allegedly to be used for allowances for a government delegation to United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to sources, the officials at the WASH Commission, all of whom are Cidicians are disappointed and angry but are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs.
One of the officials who spoke on the basis of anonymity described the government’s action as selfish and unwarranted.
The official said the Depletion of the Wash budget simply exposes the Weah Government’s self-centeredness and lack of interest in the poor masses.
“This is selfish and real wickedness”, the WASH Commission official said in an angry tone.
The Wash Commission is being Supported by International partners, who have been complaining that the government is doing nothing to enhance WASH service delivery to the Liberian people, despite all of the local and international conventions and treaties by the government to support WASH in the country.
WASH CSOs have over the years been advocating for national budgetary allocation for WASH, something that compelled the Weah government to apportion five hundred thousand (500,000) United States dollars for the commission n the current budget.
But all hopes are now lost with the recent action by the government to take away the amount for selfish reasons with no benefits to Liberians, especially less-privileged who continue to get sick and die due to the lack of safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hygiene.
Efforts made to speak with the head of the National Wash Commission, Bobby Whitefield failed. All calls and messages placed to him were not responded to.
