By: Aminata Sesay
Freetown’s water supply is under serious threat as illegal settlements and land grabbing activities creep dangerously close to critical water infrastructure managed by the Guma Valley Water Company. During a recent oversight visit by the Parliamentary Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, lawmakers expressed grave concern over the growing encroachment on protected dam areas—warning of dire consequences if the situation remains unaddressed.
At the center of the alarm is the 3-Mile Dam, a major reservoir that currently holds over 5 trillion liters of water. Located within a protected forest belt, the dam is now facing environmental degradation due to widespread deforestation and unauthorized construction.
Deputy Managing Director of Guma Valley, Engineer Prince Moore-Sourie, issued a stark warning: “If this threat is not addressed, we risk losing the dam.” He explained that the destruction of surrounding forest cover not only destabilizes the water system but also endangers the lives of those who have built illegally on unstable, unsafe terrain.
At the Angola Town Treatment Center, similar concerns were raised by Engineer Mohamed Jusu, who highlighted the vulnerability of the water infrastructure due to nearby encroachments. He stressed the urgent need to relocate settlers in order to preserve the integrity of the system.
Chairing the oversight tour was Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, Opposition Chief Whip and head of the Water Resources Committee. He described the situation as both reckless and dangerous. “We cannot sit by while vital national assets are slowly being destroyed,” he stated. “The Guma dams are not just reservoirs; they are lifelines for the people of Freetown.”
Despite the challenges, Members of Parliament commended Guma Valley for its resilience in resisting pressure from land grabbers. The Committee praised ongoing efforts to maintain and secure the water infrastructure but emphasized that more robust interventions are urgently needed.
The oversight visit which covered the 3-Mile and Regent Dams, the Angola Town Treatment Center, and Allentown facilities is part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to ensure accountability and proper management of public services.
Hon. Kamara confirmed that the Committee’s findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report to Parliament, including recommendations for legislative and executive action. “This is about protecting one of Sierra Leone’s most essential natural resources,” he said. “Without water, there is no life and no future.”
As illegal encroachments continue to threaten Sierra Leone’s water reserves, the Committee is calling for swift and decisive action—including enforcement of environmental laws, relocation of unlawful settlers, and stronger protection of water catchment areas.
The message from Parliament is clear: preserving water security must become a national priority. The time to act is now, before irreversible damage is done.