Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Director-General of the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC), Dr. Emmanuel Mannah, announced on Monday, September 2, 2024, that the World Bank is sponsoring a comprehensive review of the SLEWRC Act No. 13 of 2011. The announcement was made during a media briefing held at the Conference Hall of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) in Tower Hill, Freetown.
Established in 2011, the SLEWRC was created to oversee the regulation of the electricity and water sectors across Sierra Leone. Dr. Mannah highlighted that the Commission’s responsibilities include registration, pricing, and quality monitoring of services. He emphasized the importance of the public consultations that have taken place in various parts of the country, including Bo and Kenema, underscoring that the SLEWRC Act is the primary tool for regulating these sectors. Dr. Mannah noted the significant progress made over the past 13 years and the need to update the Act to address current trends, such as incorporating sanitation into its mandate and accommodating more industry players.
The nationwide public consultations are part of the review process for the SLEWRC Act, with financial support from the World Bank. The consulting firm responsible for drafting the revised Act, FAME Consulting Services, represented by Alfred Paul Juwah Esq., provided insights into the review process. Juwah explained that the review considered various legal frameworks, including the Sierra Leone Constitution, the Consumer Protection Act, and the National Investment Board Act. He also examined best practices from other countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana. Juwah assured that while some provisions in the revised Act would be retained, others would be modified to make the Act more user-friendly and conducive to private sector participation.
The revised Act is expected to include several amendments, particularly regarding the composition, functions, and tenure of the SLEWRC Board. The proposed changes include extending the Board’s tenure from three to five years and ensuring representation from key institutions such as the Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers and the Sierra Leone Bar Association. There was also a strong call for increased female representation on the Board in line with the Gender Empowerment Act.
Additional issues raised during the consultations included the need for enhanced public education about the SLEWRC’s functions, the appointment processes for the Director-General and Deputy, the regulation of water rates, and measures to address unfair competition in light of the upcoming Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market. Juwah clarified that the SLEWRC remains the supreme authority in these sectors and highlighted the importance of engaging and educating Members of Parliament on the draft Act.
Hon. Mus Lahai, Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on SLEWRC, echoed the need for continued engagement with Parliament and called for the inclusion of sanitation in the Commission’s mandate. He also stressed the importance of environmental protection, plastic waste disposal, and the recycling of both solid and liquid waste, suggesting that such waste could be repurposed into products like manure and tiles.
Participants in the consultation also highlighted the necessity of harmonizing water rates between Guma Valley Water Company and SALWACO. Concerns were raised about SALWACO’s operational costs, as the company runs 24-hour generator operations and often provides water free of charge to hospitals and in emergencies. Suggestions were made for SALWACO to distribute its tariffs more evenly among its customers nationwide.
Stakeholders further recommended that the SLEWRC establish a fixed schedule for tariff reviews and ensure the provision of quality and efficient services, even from Independent Power Providers.
The event featured a detailed presentation on the SLEWRC Act, an update on the proposed amendments, and an open forum for comments, recommendations, and feedback from stakeholders.