The Management of Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO), headed by Joseph Munda Sandi together with the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa and the Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Mr. Amara Kanneh on Saturday June 6, 2020, performed the symbolic signing of the contract for the construction of the Bonthe water supply project.
In his statement, the Managing Director of SALWACO, Munda Sandi, stated that Bonthe Island would get a desalination plant to process pipe borne water.
He said water is on the agenda of President Bio, noting that two weeks ago in Parliament, the President made a statement on the Bonthe water project, adding that finally the contract has been signed.
Mr. Sandi continued that SALWACO is responsible for providing water in every part of the country with the exception of Freetown.
He called on the residents of Bonthe Municipality to appreciate the Minister of Finance for the passion with which he has approached the need for water in the country, and added that project has two components: the desalination component; which aims at turning salt water into fresh and safe drinking water, and the reconstruction of the dilapidated Degremont facility. Also, there would be an office space and accommodations facility for SALWACO staff for the operations of both plants.
He added that IPCS would do the construction of the office space and accommodations and GIS Construction would be in charge of pipe networking in the City. Sewa and Guangjin Company, a joint venture, would construct the desalination and reconstruction of the new Treatment Plant.
“This project will create job opportunities for the youths around the municipality, and I hope that in the next couple of weeks the President will do the turning of sod right here on Bonthe Municipality grounds,” he stated.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, said the money for the reconstruction and construction of the Bonthe water supply project was already in the bank awaiting the conclusion of signing of contracts between SALWACO and the contractors.
As a development expert, the Honorable Minister of Finance stated that the provision of safe drinking water in every part of Sierra Leone has a direct link to education and good health. He added that the investment now in water would reduce future cost in managing health crisis such as cholera and similar water borne diseases.
He said that water is a core component of Human capital Development, and commented thus: “This project is a fully funded government project with a total cost of Le121.8 billion and it’s going to be one of the fastest project to be implemented,” Minister Saffa informed the group.
In response to the call of the President for collaboration between agencies, the Director General of SLRA, Amara Kanneh said that when different Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) collaborate, it yields positive outcomes and reduces cost on government expenditure. He stated that SLRA and SALWACO would work collaboratively in developing the Bonthe Municipality.
“I’m happy to be part of the signing of the project in Bonthe, this shows how committed the two agencies are working hard to complement the agenda of the New Direction” he stated.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segehpoh Thomas, applauded both SALWACO and the Minister of Finance for a job well done and added that the current administration is a “talk and do” government.
He therefore called on the stakeholders and youths of Bonthe Municipality to own the project and support the contractors.
The deputy Speaker of Parliament said after 45 years of no pipe borne water, the Bonthe Municipality now has a reason to celebrate – His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and his administration.
Giving the vote of thanks, Mary M. Ngegba, a stakeholder and Media Relations Manager, said that good things come to those who wait. He added that Bonthe District has been a very patient District with a very patient son of the soil, President Bio. She expressed gratitude to God for rewarding Bonthe with such a son and his government who has thought of his people after forty-five years of abandonment by all past governments. She asked the beneficiaries to pray for the President and his government to succeed.
By Salwaco Communications Unit
09/062020. ISSUE NO.: 7841