Liberia: Locals Claim Lack of Safe Drinking Water, Fetch From Unsafe Creek

Residents in the Liberian capital of Monrovia and its outskirts may have the opportunity to fetch safe drinking water from hand pumps constructed by the government and international partners. However, the situation looks different as one moves away from the outskirts of the Capital. For instance, in a township called Crozierville, residents there are comoplaining of fetching drinking water from creeks.

Residents of the township told The NEWS that they continue to fetch water from the Dayor Creek due to the absence of hand pumps in the area.

According to Franklin M. Conneh, a member of the Elder Council and also an instructor at the government-run Anthony Tubman Community in the township, the lack of safe drinking water is a problem in the township and that the health condition of the people is very poor.

Mr. Conneh also disclosed that there are reported cases of diahorrea, running stomach among other ailments in the township. He also indicated that the Dayor Creek is also being used by some residents for washing while others defecate near the banks of the creek.

He said if nothing is done in the shortest possible time, the health condition of the people would be worst.

When contacted, Nurse Martha Todd of the Crozierville Community clinic confirmed that they have diagnosed and treated more than 25 persons with different health problems, ranging from diahorrea to water-born diseases.