-Through Solar-powered Water Pump In Small Town
By Vaye Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia — Orange Foundation, the Humanitarian Arm of Orange Liberia GSM, has officially dedicated a solar-powered water pump to the Small Town Community in Congo Town, aimed at improving residents’ access to safe and reliable water.
The project is also intended to address longstanding water challenges in the community by providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly source of clean water.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony, the Country Director of WaterAid Liberia, Mr. Chuchu Selma, underscored the critical state of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in the country.
He disclosed that only about 23 percent of Liberia’s population has access to basic water services, while access to safely managed sanitation and hygiene remains at approximately three percent.
Despite these challenges, he noted that Liberia has made modest gains in basic water access. However, he stressed that safely managed water systems require stronger investment, improved governance, and greater collaboration among government institutions, communities, and the private sector.
The WaterAid Country Director further explained that inadequate access to water and sanitation costs Liberia an estimated US$231 million annually. According to him, each citizen loses about US$44 every year due to time spent fetching water, water-related illnesses, reduced industrial productivity, and premature deaths—particularly among children.
He also highlighted the impact of climate change, noting that falling water tables during prolonged dry seasons have made access to water more difficult in many communities. In response, African leaders have made renewed commitments at the continental level, including during the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Addis Ababa, to prioritize water and sanitation across the continent.
Commending Orange Liberia for its intervention, the WaterAid official emphasized the importance of private sector participation in closing the financing gap in the WASH sector, especially as donor support continues to decline globally. He called for increased domestic resource mobilization to ensure sustainability.
Community leaders of Small Town expressed gratitude to Orange Liberia and the Orange Foundation, describing the solar pump as a timely intervention that will ease the daily burden of fetching water and improve public health. They pledged to work with relevant authorities, including the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), to properly manage and maintain the facility.
An Orange Liberia representative Cllr. Supu H. W. Cole Jr. speaking on behalf of the company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Board of the Orange Foundation, said the project reflects Orange’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and green energy solutions. He noted that the use of solar power aligns with global best practices and reduces reliance on fuel-powered systems.
“This dedication is part of our broader commitment to giving back to the communities that support us,” he said, adding that Orange Liberia will continue to invest in projects that improve livelihoods and empower communities.
The ceremony concluded with a tour of the solar-powered water facility and renewed calls for stronger partnerships among government, the private sector, and communities to ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation for all Liberians. Orange Foundation Liberia Country Office was established in Liberia in 2021.
