30/3/22: In an effort to sanitize the package water industry in the country the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau in collaboration with the Sierra Leone water union today converged at the Bureau’s Conference Hall at Wahman Abu compound Kelsey Road Ferry Junction Freetown where resolution was reached to compile list of all water packet companies.
According to the Executive Director Sierra Leone Standards Bureau Professor Thomas Yormah the main objective of the meeting is to compile a comprehensive statistics of all water packet companies to affect proper regulatory mechanism to sanitize the industry.
The rationale behind this is to provide access to safe and potable drinking water every Sierra Leonean.
As usual Prof. Yormah highlighted some logistical challenges confronting his institution to physically collect samples across the country for laboratory tests and analysis. Pointing out that mobility, power and reagents are key among the constraints.
He said with a comprehensive list, Ministry will be able to determine compliance among water marketers.
The meeting was in response to the recent outburst by Hon Lahai Marah Chairman of Parliamentary oversight Committee on water resources, claiming that 80% of Sierra Leoneans feed on contaminated water.
The Director of enterprise in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Minkail Turay proposed that after today’s meeting Ministry will schedule special date to meet with plastic manufacturers with the aim of stopping them from selling plastic to non-conformist ,
saying that only water packet companies that conform with Sierra Leone Standards Bureau and Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission requirements based on outcome of registration, laboratory test and data analysis.
He also used the opportunity to request Sierra Leone Standards Bureau to put together a proposal with budget breakdown of fees charge for sampling collection to offset some of the running costs of laboratory tests and analysis at Sierra Leone Standards Bureau.
Sierra Leone Standards Bureau is an income generating entity like the National Revenue Authority NRA and other public Agencies but every cent generated is being paid into the Government single treasury account with little or nothing left for the day to day running of the institution thereby frustrating efforts of management.
