The Japanese government, through its development agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has constructed and handed over to the Liberian government a community water supply system in the Monrovia suburb of Gardnersville.

Satellite water network, constructed in the MTA community, is said to be the first-a pilot project-aimed at affording urban communities of Monrovia safe drinking water.

"Liberia is on the move again...with all these developments" gradually taking place across the country "through the strong support of our international partners," President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf remarked yesterday during the official turning over ceremonies that took place in the compound of the Monrovia Transit Authority (MTA), Gardnersville.

President Sirleaf lauded the gesture of the Japanese government, and called on the Liberian people, especially the beneficiary community, to properly manage the facility.

She said the government was "achieving because it has a strong partnership" with the donor community, and noted that Liberia can only be rebuilt "when we all work together in moving our country forward." She cut the ribbon to the kiosk (water pump) and admonished the MTA community leader James Toteh to maintain the donor-funded facilities.

"I am very pleased and greatly honored to be here this morning at the dedication of a satellite water network handover ceremony of a public well," JICA's Chief Representative Mr. Kunihiro Yamauchi stated and related how the civil war has greatly affected the provision of safe-drinking water to the population of Monrovia.

Mr. Kunihiro Yamauchi said the project fully supports the Liberian government's poverty reduction strategy-the government's overall vision and major strategies for moving toward rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth and development during the period 2008-2011. The PRS has four major pillars including Enhancing Peace and National Security (Pillar), Governance and the Rule of Law (Pillar II), Economic Revitalization (Pillar III) and Rehabilitation of Infrastructures and Delivery of Basic Social Services (Pillar IV).

Mr. Yamauchi said his country was happy to restore bilateral ties with Liberian in 2007, and Japan was in the position to help Liberia achieve its PRS, mainly in the area of infrastructure development-like the one dedicated yesterday.

"It is my pleasure... to hand over satellite water network which will benefit 1,000 people in this community. In addition, we developed two hand-pumping-wells which will benefit to 300 people respectively," he said.

JICA on Tuesday officially unveiled the Draft Final Report of the Master Plan Study on Urban Facilities Restoration and Improvement in Monrovia. In the Master Plan Study, JICA focused on the recovery and reconstruction of urban facilities, which are road, public water supply, sewerage and drainage.

The Japanese development agency conducted a field survey of the current situation of water supply facilities and existing water sources in Monrovia, and also assessed the capacity of Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).

"When we look at the present situation," Mr. Yamauchi said, "we face a lot of difficulties, which include: (1) deterioration of main and distribution pipeline; (2) around 63% of dwellers in the Greater Monrovia have to rely on unsafe water source; (3) lack of stable water supply, (4) lack of proper water quality monitoring on water supply system and boreholes."

"Based on the survey," he continued, "we developed groundwater development plan and water supply development plan for target years of 2014 and 2019."

Mr. Yamauchi said according to the plan, future water demand in Greater Monrovia was estimated to be 19 Million Gallon/day in 2014 and 30 Million Gallon/day in 2019, adding that "The estimation shows that the gap between demand and water production is widening."

In order to fulfill the future water demand in Greater Monrovia, the Japanese diplomat said recommended: "I believe that LWSC as well as the Government of Liberia work together with all their force."

In his ministerial address, Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods lauded the Japanese government's commitment to the rebuilding of Liberia. "Today, what is going on here today is a clear manifestation to implement the goals of the PRS," the infrastructure minister said.

He said the project was intended for the communities itself to manage, because, according to him they, are the direct beneficiaries. "These projects are intended for the community to own and to participate in them," the Minister said, and warned against community members vandalizing facilities that are built in their own interest.

He called on the leadership of the MTA community to protect the water facilities and use it wisely.

"You must be your own police in this community...you must protect these facilities, the Minister urged and voiced that "It's a shame when we walk and drive around and see people mining sand under our bridges; shame! It's a disgrace to our country; we have to stop it!"

He said these inhumane activities were threats to development, and Liberians must change these attitudes, and learn to manage public facilities.

LWSC Managing Director N. Hun-Bu Tulay also lauded the development and called on the public to take good care of the water facilities. He outlined challenges in that water and sanitation sector, and noted that the donor community was willing to provide support as long as government remains transparent and accountable.

Meanwhile the Montserrado County by-election senatorial candidate on the ticket of the ruling Unity Party, Mr. Clemenceau Urey, has contributed 100 gallons of fuel to the community as initial contribution to enable the community effectively manage the community water system.

Mr. Urey said Liberians needed to work together to rebuild their country, and must protect infrastructure built by the country's partner.