Economic Constraints Hamper CDF

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By: Washington Tumay Watson –onewash9@gmail.com

MONROVIA-The current economic situation faced by the country is not only hampering ordinary Liberians but equally places hiccups on the County Development Fund, a program initiated by the former Government of Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, an official of Grand Kru County disclosed.

The  government of soccer legend George Weah is said to be struggling in keeping the program at the same level his predecessor left it.

The County Development Fund (CDF) aims to take holistic development programs to the hinterland.

At a consultative meeting  organized by FERD   on WASH Financing  in Congo Town  last week,  Grand Kru County  Assistant Superintendent  for Development Joe Sekpeh  said  the government  reduced  the county development  funding  from two hundred thousand United States dollars  to one hundred thousand United States dollars.

Though this paper could not verify Sekpeh’s claims, he went on saying that the government’s decision  emanated  from the economic constraints  the country  faces as a result of  the Corona Virus Pandemic affecting all countries worldwide.

On the basis of such situation, he told  the gathering  the county  leadership streamlined  the county development  budget in order to  support   the WASH sector which he describes as very important.

He said one of the challenges they face inculcating WASH in the county’s development budget is the fact that the CDF mainly focuses on infrastructure development.

The Grand Kru County Development Superintendent used the event to appreciate FERD for the level of work done in the WASH sector of the county.

Sekpeh equally urged them to also focus on intensifying WASH awareness in the communities they are working with.

Also at the consultative meeting with FERD, United Youth and county authorities on WASH financing, Superintendent Dais Yloton urged FERD to extend its programs to other districts in the county.

Presently, FERD is working in ten communities, providing education to the community dwellers about water sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

FERD Program Officer Yuku Ford in an overview of   their activities in the WASH sector said the objective of the meeting was to engage the county authority relative to the investment into the WASH sector of the county.

Madam Ford urged county authorities to ensure that WASH is included in the county development Fund budget.

FERD is  concerned and  focused on how multinational concessions operating in the county can provide clear budget line in the area of WASH for the citizens who are feeling the brunt of open defecation.

The Executive Director of United Youth, Timothy Kpeh, said the meeting was part of the CSO’s advocacy engagement at both national and local levels on how the county development fund can be inclusive of WASH in the budget.

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