By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO), Ing. George Lamin Vandi, delivered a compelling keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation during the World Water Day commemoration held at the Miatta Conference Centre, Youyi Building in Freetown on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025.
Due to the unavoidable absence of the Water Resources Minister and her Deputy, MD Vandi was given the privilege of delivering the keynote address. He emphasized the significance of the event, noting that the global theme of ‘Glacier Preservation’ and the national theme of ‘Water Ecosystem Preservation’ were especially timely. He stressed the importance of judicious water usage while also ensuring its conservation.
MD Vandi further commended the government’s efforts in improving water accessibility and services, urging citizens to pay for and properly care for public utilities.
Several notable speakers also addressed the gathering, including representatives from NGOs in the water sector, UNICEF, the Bottled and Sachet Water Producers’ Union, and a representative from the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation. Their speeches focused on the challenges of accessing water and the commitment to addressing these issues promptly.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyah Ballay, highlighted the importance of the commemoration, emphasizing her ministry’s collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the water sector to achieve results as outlined in the medium-term national development plan. She stressed that effective collaboration and coordination were essential for ensuring that institutions deliver results at all levels and at all times.
MD Vandi concluded by informing the audience that he had delivered the keynote speech “verbatim” as prepared by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. The event was organized by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in collaboration with WASH sector partners. SALWACO was also represented by its Director of Planning, Research and Policy, Saffa SK Bockarie, Director of Human Resources, Joe Ansu Foray, Senior Communications Officer, Sheku Putka Kamara, and HR Officer, Nancy, among others.
