Liberia Municipal Water Project II - Year 3 Quarterly Report 1: October - December 2018

The project began in 2015 and is scheduled to run for five years. The project's primary objective is to increase access to safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services in urban and peri-urban areas of Liberia. The project is implemented by Tetra Tech, a global consulting firm, in partnership with the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC). The project's scope includes the construction of new water treatment plants, rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, and provision of technical assistance to LWSC to enhance its capacity to manage and operate the water supply system. The project is divided into six tasks, each with specific objectives and deliverables. Task 2 focuses on construction oversight and DLP/warranty oversight, while Task 3 involves transitional management of water supply improvements. Task 4 is dedicated to capacity building, which includes the implementation of the LMWP II Capacity Building Plan, water utility capacity building tool, and twinning relationship with the National Water and Sewer Corporation (NWSC) for technical support and capacity building. Task 5 involves coordination with other donors and stakeholders, including USAID, the Liberia WASH Sector, and other donor and partner programs. Task 6 is responsible for planning and reporting, which includes regular reporting, household-level annual surveys, success stories, and project staffing, management, and administration. During the third quarter of 2018, the project achieved several key milestones. The construction of the Voinjama water treatment plant was completed, and the plant was commissioned in October 2018. The plant is expected to serve over 10,000 people in the Voinjama area. The project also made significant progress in capacity building, with the implementation of the LMWP II Capacity Building Plan and the provision of technical assistance to LWSC. The project staff conducted training sessions for LWSC employees on water treatment plant operation and maintenance, and provided support to the LWSC in developing its business plan. In terms of challenges, the project faced difficulties in procuring materials and equipment, particularly for the construction of the Voinjama water treatment plant. The project team also encountered challenges in coordinating with other stakeholders, including the LWSC and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. The project's financial status report for the third quarter of 2018 indicates that the project has spent over $1.5 million on construction, capacity building, and other activities. The project's budget for the year is $5.5 million, and it is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. The project's performance monitoring plan (PMP) indicator results for the third quarter of 2018 show that the project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives. The project's success in increasing access to safe and reliable water supply and sanitation services in Liberia is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economic development and public health. The project's contributions of short-term technical assistance (STTA) during the third quarter of 2018 included the provision of technical assistance to LWSC on water treatment plant operation and maintenance, and the development of the LWSC's business plan. The project's work plan for the next quarter includes the completion of the Voinjama water treatment plant, the implementation of the LMWP II Capacity Building Plan, and the provision of technical assistance to LWSC on water supply management. The project's procurement plan update for the third quarter of 2018 indicates that the project has procured materials and equipment worth over $1 million for the construction of the Voinjama water treatment plant. The project's procurement plan for the next quarter includes the procurement of materials and equipment for the completion of the Voinjama water treatment plant and other project activities. The project's institutional strengthening activities during the third quarter of 2018 included the development of the LWSC's business plan and the provision of technical assistance to LWSC on water supply management. The project's institutional strengthening activities for the next quarter include the implementation of the LMWP II Capacity Building Plan and the provision of technical assistance to LWSC on water supply management. The project's progress in institutional strengthening activities during the third quarter of 2018 is reflected in the annex to the report, which provides a detailed account of the project's achievements in this area. The project's progress in institutional strengthening activities is expected to have a positive impact on the country's water supply and sanitation sector.