Deputy Minister Wie, Whitefield Rally Collective Effort to End Open Defecation

GBARNGA, bong County – Gusceman Business Development and Support Services, a local firm in partnership with Concern Worldwide, Anthena Infonomic and Population Service International (PSI) has ended a three-day CountyWide Sanitation Activity ((CWSA) business partners’ orientation.

 The initiative is intended to eradicate open defecation through the accessibility awareness and affordability of improve basic toilet in Liberia.

CWSA is a project that is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by PSI, Concern Worldwide, Athena Infonomic and Gusceman, a Liberian consultant firm with the aim of building excellent growth and prosperity in Liberia and several others international organization.

The three-day Partners orientation workshop was held in Gbarnga, Bong County from July 17-19 with the goal of ensuring that open defecation are eradicated through the awareness and used of the newly launched household basic improve modern toilet.

Accordingly, the five-year USAID funded project, which started last year October, seeks to end open defecation in five counties, namely Bong, Nimba, Lofa, rural Montserrado and Grand Bassa County.

But, the first phase of the initiative brought together over 75 participants from three counties, Lofa (22), Nimba (30) and Bong (20) from the business sector.

Giving overview of the business partners training and presentation to Gusceman General Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Diabolo said the workshop was intended to educate and train entrepreneurs from the five counties about the importance and significant of the adoption of the basic improve toilet.

According to him, the new improve toilet is a rubber made that is affordable and accessible with the aimed of making the product accessible to the targeted counties.

“We brought those business people here to tell them about the product. The product is long lasting and very cheap. The standing improve toilet is US$15 while the small ones is US$10. This product when taken to every part of those counties will end open defecation in Liberia,” he added.

Making special remarked at the program, Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Urban Affairs Madam Paulita C.C. Wie expressed excitement and appreciation over the product and the workshop.

She stated that ending open defecation is paramount to President George Weah, and as such, she urged all local officials and stakeholders to join the campaign in ending open defecation across the country.

“We thank you all for coming and participating. We also thank our partners USAID for the support. This project, we want you to go back to your various county, community and neighborhood and tell your people about this product and let them all have it to end open defecation in Liberia” she concluded. 

For his part, the Chief Executives Officers of Liberia Water Sanitation and Hygiene Commission (WASH Commission) Mr. Bobby Whitfield, expressed delight over the Countywide Sanitation Activity CWSA for the initiative.

“This government is very concerned about ending open defecation in Liberia and this starts with the selling and purchasing of this new product which is affordable. With this, I can assure you that after this five years project, we will end open defecation in the entire country,” he assured.