MONROVIA, Montserrado− Vice President Jeremiah Koung has emphasized his firm support for the privatization of Liberia’s water and electricity distribution services.
Koung spoke at the commissioning ceremony of five tanker trucks at the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, where he underscored his commitment to enhancing the efficiency of state-owned enterprises, including LWSC and the Liberia Electricity Corporation. He said it is only through privatization that the two public corporations can address their persistent challenges.
“I am convinced that LWSC and LEC can better serve the public if their distribution components are privatized,” the vice president said.
He pushed for the two entities’ distribution services to be privatized while they retain their generation and transmission roles.
Drawing parallels with successful privatization initiatives elsewhere, Koung highlighted the accomplishments of the privately owned Jungle Energy Power Incorporated in Nimba as a testament to the potential benefits of similar reforms. Jungle Energy operates the electricity grid in parts of Nimba and Bong, where the energy grid has been much more stable than the Montserrado grid.
In addition to advocating for privatization, Koung also proposed the construction of a solar power plant at LWSC’s facility to address persistent electricity challenges. This ambitious undertaking, he argued, would not only bolster the reliability of water pumping systems but also advance Liberia’s transition towards renewable energy sources.
His vision for privatization and infrastructure investment reflects a proactive approach to addressing the country’s critical issues. He said by prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and public service delivery, his administration seeks to lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity and resilience.
During the commissioning of the new water trucks, the vice president admonished the LWSC management to strongly consider his recommendations for delivering more efficient service to ordinary Liberians.
In a related development, the vice president raised eyebrows at what he called unrealistic spending by the past government to purchase the five water trucks.
“Coming from a business background and someone who has been purchasing these trucks, when I saw the price of US$218,750, then I say yes, this is government,” he said. “This can’t happen in any private business setting; I bought this truck for gasoline for business at US$75,000.”
At the commissioning ceremony, LWSC’s managing director, Mohammed Ali, provided insights into the procurement process for the four trucks, revealing a total investment exceeding US$900,000. A water truck cost US$151,200, while a sewage truck cost US$218,750.
Ali said the contract for the trucks was secured under the government of former President George Weah. It was signed on May 5, 2022, to secure two sewage trucks and three water trucks.
Ali expressed gratitude to the previous administration’s work, as purchasing the trucks would help address pressing water supply and sewage management challenges nationwide.
Featured photo by the Office of the Vice President
