Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by The Liberian Investigator
Monrovia – A claim by Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) managing director, Mr. Mo Ali, that the country’s ongoing water project began under the Unity Party has sparked a sharp response from former CDC official McArthur Hilton, who says the Weah government did the real work.
In a Facebook post, Ali dismissed widespread claims that the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation’s importation of new pipes was part of former President George Weah’s vision. According to Ali, the foundation for the Liberia Urban Water Supply Project was laid under the previous Unity Party administration, during which he and other government officials led negotiations for an initial $10 million World Bank financing package.
“They say the pipes the LWSC is bringing in country was Weah’s vision,” Ali wrote. “I’ve said over and over that I along with Fredrick Bobby Krah from the MFDP’s Debt Management Unit joined by former LWSC’s MD, Hun-Bun Tulay and his Deputy for Technical Services led the negotiations… Here is the proof that this project started from the UP Administration when Hon. Amara Konneh was Finance Minister.”
But McArthur Hilton, who served as Deputy Managing Director for Technical Services at LWSC during the Weah era, fired back in a lengthy statement, saying Ali’s version of events distorts the timeline and ignores critical developments that occurred under the CDC-led government.
“In response to Mo Ali’s comments regarding the $10 million allocated by the World Bank, it is essential to clarify the context and timeline associated with these funds,” Hilton said. “The assertion that this amount was intended as savings for the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation from 2016 to 2019 does not accurately reflect the operational realities of World Bank projects.”
Hilton pointed out that when the CDC took office in 2018, much of the initial $10 million had already been committed and was being used for other water-related initiatives. He explained that World Bank disbursements follow strict timelines and performance benchmarks, making it inaccurate to suggest the funds were idle until the change of government.
He credited former LWSC Managing Director Duannah Kamara—appointed by President Weah—for reinvigorating the project and successfully securing an additional $30 million during a presentation in Cape Town in 2019. That funding included $24.74 million in loans and $4.26 million in grants, and was signed by then-Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah during the World Bank spring meetings.
“These achievements underscore the proactive steps taken under President Weah to strengthen the country’s water infrastructure,” Hilton said. “The narrative that the project only existed on paper under the UP but came to life under CDC is closer to the truth.”
Hilton turned his focus to the current Unity Party-led government under President Joseph Boakai, saying it has failed to show initiative since taking office.
“While continuity in governance is important, the Boakai administration has now been in office for over 15 months and has yet to initiate any significant projects,” he said. “It’s time for the current leadership to stop relying on past achievements and start delivering their own.”
He added that the public is growing weary of political finger-pointing and deserves real, visible improvements in essential services.
Discussion about this post