April 15, 2021
By: Albert Baron Ansu, Ilyasa Baa
The northern provincial city of Makeni has been earmarked under the major city project for water development; according to the SALWACO Managing Director at press conference convened at the company’s headquarter, past Tuesday. The cost of the Makeni reservoir as a project on course has been valued at USD 3.89 million.
Managing Director, Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has said the entire Lungi is going to get more water supplies as soon as possible.
Eng. George Lamin Vandy has disclosed that the company is negotiating with the contractors to ensure that the entire geographical area of Lungi gets constant flow of water; instead of focusing more on the airport vicinity as it was the case. “The ideal situation is, we want to supply the population as much as possible”, the Managing Director stated, adding that Lungi is one of the six towns to benefit shortly.
He said SALWACO will complete the Bonthe water project before the end of the year and has reactivated the Kenema water project. He commended the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for its cooperation towards the implementation of the company’s projects across the country.
There is also the EXIM Bank project underway that will target Njala, Taima, Mongor and Mattru, it has been disclosed
Also, the Koidu water feasibility study has been done and the Managing Director is very much upbeat that the water crisis in that part of the country will be addressed to bring respite to the restive residents yearning for potable water.
SALWACO has 1.5 million connections with one of the lowest tariff in the sub region. The company, over the years improved tremendously in terms of water quality management and establishing water kiosks and stations across the country.
Although SALWACO needs a workforce of over six hundred but grappling with less than one hundred and fifty workers, nationwide, the company, according to residents of Lungi, has demonstrated that it has the requisite capability to supply water in rural communities.
According to Manager George Lamin Vandy, SALWACO water development agenda is consistent with the 2017 Act that increases its scope to 24 communities, the Sierra Leone Medium Term Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goal 6. These are universal standards that the Bio government is aspiring to mainstream in a critical sector.