June 18, 2021
A season Opposition Members of Parliament Representing the people of Falaba District, Hon. Lahai Marrah who also double as the Parliamentary Chairman of Water Resources has on the 15th June 2021 in the Chamber of Parliament urged the government of Sierra Leone to put premium on the supply of water for the country.
Speaking on the following grants agreements on the Financing Agreement on the Freetown Wash and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Islamic Development Bank Comprising the following:
(a) Agency Agreement (Installment Financing) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Islamic Development Freetown Wash and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project in an amount of US$40.0 Million and
(b) Framework Agreement (Installment Sale Finance between the Republic of Sierra Leone Islamic Development Bank – Freetown Wash and Aqutheattic Environment Revamping supply of an amount of US$40.0 Million
Hon Lahai Marrah said the Freetown Wash and Aquatic agreement was a good agreement. He informed that, water supply was a high demand and need to be addressed urgently. The MP also vehemently called on the immediate intervention of authorities into the illegal encroachment of Guma Valley Water Company water catchment areas and the establishment of water commission to augment the problems.
He said the ratifications of these agreements the water rate distribution will increase from 20% to 30% water supply will also increase from 80 liters to 110 liters per day and noted that ,the demand for water is very high of which the production capacity is low, the MP urge the Government to lay emphasis on water as water is also “a political commodity”.
The Hon. member requested the Government to continue unbundling the water sector from Energy, He also note that, the water sector is a vary big sector and therefore needs a separate Commission for water instead of the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) which is paying more attention on energy than Water.
He highlighted the challenges faced by by the water sector in dealing with MDA’s associated with land and forestry activities.
He called on the government to pays greater attention on the water sector “we want a commission that should be focused mainly on the water sector” ,he called on the executive arm of government to do the needful, and pleaded with the government for more budgetary allocation for the ministry of water resources.” good agreements has to be supported”, he asserted.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu supported the contribution made by Hon. Lahi Marrah and requested an alternative means for water supply for the country ,considering River Rokel and other rivers for future plans.
According to the Chairman of water resources, questions related to the Rokel River had been asked to professionals of the water sector and the capital intensiveness of the project is a major factor they narrated,” but Protecting what we have is a priority, mile 13 water dam is a nice place to be protected and it is so attractive for tourism”.He said.
Hon. Lahai Marah urge the Minister of water resources and the Managing Director of Guma to bring the Guma Valley Act for Amendment, since in 2018 when the President during the state opening of parliament stated that Guma should be deleted from List of companies to be privatized supervise under NCP and bring it to the MOW, nothing has been archived