THE government of Liberia through the state-owned Millennium Challenge Account-Liberia (MCA-L) has completed paying off all the 55 people whose properties fell within the right of way of the Monrovia Raw Water Pipeline project.
According to MCA-L, the payments were made based on the extent of the impact on the affected assets i.e. crops, land, and structures, etc., through a process that ensured fairness and protection of the most vulnerable, including in some instances, equal division of funds between spouses.
MCA-L also conducted a three-month financial literacy skills training for the beneficiaries to ensure that they make smart investment choices to improve their quality of life.
The Monrovia Raw Water Pipeline project
Funded by the US through its agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the $18 million project involves the construction of a new 48-inch diameter Raw Water pipeline to replace the original 36-inch diameter pipeline that was destroyed during Liberia’s civil war.
The Monrovia Raw Water Pipeline will transport water from the dam of Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant for treatment at the White Plains Water Treatment Plant. Upon completion, the project will provide 1 million people residing in Monrovia and its surrounding areas with access to clean and safe drinking water.
Moreover, it will save the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation about $780,000 a year in electricity costs, as the water will be transported using gravitational force.
The construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2020.
The Millennium Challenge Account-Liberia (MCA-L)
MCA-L is an independent, legal, and autonomous agency of the Government of Liberia created by the legislature to administer the compact projects, which address the lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity and inadequate road infrastructure in a bid to reduce poverty and promote economic growth.