The Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has on Saturday 2nd April 2022 signed contracts and launched the Six Towns Water Supply Project in Moyamba District.
The launching was held at the Moyamba District Council hall, Moyamba District, southern Sierra Leone.
Welcoming participants at the launching, Paramount Chief, PC Momoh Gulama expresses happiness for the Project. He said since the coming of President Julius Maada Bio the district continue to witness development. “This District has been without pipe borne water for the last 40 years, so this is a dream come true,” he said.
PC Momoh assured that they will continue to monitor the project to its logical conclusion.
The Managing Director of SALWACO, Ing George Lamin noted that the project will target one hundred percent customers and before the completion, connection would have been done.
He said the Management and staff spent sleepless nights to have the project. He applauded staff of the company for their hard work.
He thanked the government of Sierra Leone for providing the funds, noting that the project is solely funded by the Government of Sierra Leone.
The managing director called on the council, local authorities including the people to protect the facility.
“There are lot of activities from the intake raw water, and this is not good for the project. Don’t buy cement to contractors or attempt to buy anything relating to the project. We have seen projects failed because of such attitudes. Let us protect what we have,” he said.
He called on the contractors to delivere on time. He said that reasonable fee will be imposed for use of the water.
In his statement, the Chairman, Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Water, Hon. Lahai Marah said one key responsibility of Parliament is oversight.
He said they as committee will continue to hold government to account and provide oversight.
Hon. Marah said they are satisfied with the Six Towns Water Supply Project, noting that late disbursement of funds is hampering the project.
He called on the ministry of finance to fast-track payment to compete the project.
Hon. Marah noted that very soon contractors will be called to explained about progress because the project is at the heart of the people.
“Water is life and we need each and every person to support this project. Let us make sure this project succeed,” he said.
The Chairman Board of Directors of SALWACO , Ing Alhaji Mohamed Jalloh noted that water is life, and therefore every beneficiary must be vigilant to monitor the implementation of the project.
Launching the project, the Minister of Water Resources, Ing Patrick Karimu Lansana said there has been several calls for Moyamba District to have safe, clean and affordable pipe borne water.
The Minister said an investigation was launched into water access in Moyamba and five other districts, adding that they developed a proposal which was presented to the Ministry of Finance.
He assured that the water sector has put in place structures that will see the implementation of projects.
“My ministry has a team that periodically go round and monitor. We also have sectoral meeting where we discuss project activities; and this is enough assurance that this project will succeed.”
“We this project, all the houses in Moyamba Township will have access to clean and safe drinking water,” he said.
Ing Lansana noted that the water will not be free, and that with this SALWACO will be able to strive and do maintenance without recourse to government.
He called on the people to protect the project by monitoring its implementation.
“As a government we are hurry to make progress; let us try and do the work on time. The people want to see result and government also want to see that result,” the Minister said.
He called for the collaboration and synergy among stakeholders.
The signing of contract and launching of the project climaxed the ceremony.
By Alimatu Jalloh