By: Mohamed Sahr
African Development Bank (AfDB) supported Freetown water storage capacity with $7.789,467.10 through the WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project after identifying the need to expand water treatment capacity to complement improvements made in raw water storage.
Progress was made during a conducted tour of the rehabilitated Babadorie Raw Water Storage Facility on Monday 20th July 2026.
Making his statement, Dr Abdul B. Kamara, Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery highlighted that the US$7.79 million project has increased Freetown’s raw water storage capacity from 60,000 cubic metres to 132,000 cubic metres through the rehabilitation of the existing Babadorie reservoir and the construction of new steel storage tanks.
Dr Kamara commended the Government of Sierra Leone and the Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) for the successful implementation of the project, noting that development financing can only achieve results when supported by effective execution. “Approving funds is just the first step. If you do not have a government that is focused on making a difference in the lives of its people, that project will not come to fruition,” he said.
Dr Kamara described Freetown’s recurring challenges of flooding during the rainy season and water shortages during the dry season as unacceptable, saying the improved storage system would help address the city’s long-standing water supply problems.
“Having massive amounts of water in the rainy season and then, three or four months later, people cannot get drinking water is intolerable. With the model we are developing here, we are going to change that,” he added.
He revealed that the AfDB has instructed its Sierra Leone Country Office to work with project authorities during the upcoming mid-term review to assess gaps in water treatment capacity and explore opportunities for further investment.
“We now have enough storage, but we need to ensure we have the treatment capacity to match it,” Dr Kamara stated, while urging communities to protect the infrastructure from vandalism to ensure its sustainability.
Dr Kamara reaffirmed the African Development Bank’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s infrastructure development through investments in electricity, regional power interconnection, roads, and water supply systems across the country.
The Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, Engineer Mariwan Kallon, said the project has significantly transformed the utility’s raw water storage capacity through the rehabilitation of the Babadorie reservoir and the construction of additional storage facilities.
“This US$7.79 million investment has significantly increased Freetown’s ability to capture and store water, but treatment capacity must now be strengthened to maximize the benefits of the project,” Kallon said.
He explained that the additional storage capacity would help sustain water supply during the dry season. Currently, residents receive water for about eight hours every 48 hours during the rainy season, but the improved storage system is expected to help maintain that schedule even when water levels decline.
Kallon also encouraged residents to have confidence in tap water supplied by Guma Valley, explaining that the company filters, chemically treats, and laboratory-tests water to ensure it meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards before distribution.
Joseph S. Bangura, Headman of Regent Village, described the project as a life-changing investment for surrounding communities. “Water is life, and those who provide the funding are supporting lives,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Water Resources Committee of the Western Rural District Council, Councillor Mendi S.E. Bangura, also praised the project, saying the improved infrastructure would reduce the hardship faced by thousands of residents who struggle to access safe drinking water, especially during the dry season.
Apparently, the project is expected to improve water supply access for approximately 90,000 people in communities including Regent, Babadorie, IMATT, Gloucester, Leicester, and parts of Hill Station, as well as several embassies, colleges, and other institutions.
The expanded storage capacity will allow more water to be captured and preserved during the rainy season, helping to maintain supplies during the dry season when shortages are often experienced.
The project also created 777 employment opportunities during construction, including 117 jobs for women.