The National Chairman on Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Committee in Liberia and Public Works Minister Samuel Kofi Woods says the government of Liberia is committed to ensuring that every segment of the country benefits from safe drinking water and improved sanitation and hygiene environment.

Speaking at day-two (yesterday) of the high level inter-Ministerial forum which coincided with World Water Day at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Woods outlined that financial flows to the sanitation and water from national budget and international aid still leave substantial financial gap to meet national and international targets, and called on all stakeholders in the WASH program to intensify their efforts in realizing their objectives.

Minister Woods further indicated that the Government of Liberia has taken numerous steps in accelerating the prompt delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene services across the country. Among several initiatives undertaken according to the Works Minister is the inclusion of the Liberia's sector in the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) global partnership, an international platform aimed at achieving universal and sustainable access to sanitation and drinking water which led to the establishment of the Liberia WASH Compact.

The Liberia WASH Compact which was endorsed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf lays down clear action plan for the provision of safe, clean drinking water and improved sanitation for all Liberians.

The National Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Committee, under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with Government's development partners such as UNICEF, WaterAid and other Civil Society organizations, will work together to ensure the strengthening of institution capacity of the water and sanitation sector, ensure equity and prioritize service provision, develop a monitoring system and improve the financing mechanism.

According to the Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation, Liberia is one of the countries that is on track to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The high level inter-ministerial forum is a prelude to the upcoming meeting expected to be held in Washington, DC on April 19-20, 2012. It brings together over 35 Ministers from around the world.