MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The United Youth for Peace, Education Transparency and Development in Liberia is calling on the incoming government to make Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) issues a priority.

The organization’s Executive Director, Timothy Kpeh, said much needs to be done to improve the WASH sector and stressed the need for qualified individuals to be appointed to lead the sector.

“We need people with the expertise. Anybody that is appointed to the WASH Commission civil society will do our vetting. We will ensure that will bring the track record of that person, if that person is not qualified, we will go against such appointment,” Mr. Kpeh noted.

He made the comments Tuesday in Monrovia when his organization launched what it calls a post-election WASH campaign to engage elected officials at the Legislature for an improved WASH sector.

“Today we are pleased to inform the general public that the United Youth, with support from our partner WaterAid, is pleased to launch the Post-election WASH Campaign that is intended to engage newly elected lawmakers to prioritize the issue of water, sanitation, and hygiene in Liberia,” Mr. Kpeh said.

Mr. Kpeh explained that the launch of the post-election WASH campaign is an opportunity for the organization to engage lawmakers on the issue of oversight and budget allocation for the WASH sector.

“What we’re pushing for going forward is to see a standing committee at the level of the Senate and House of Representatives on WASH,” he added.

He said the organization will continue engagement with lawmakers to ensure a budget line for WASH.