By: Mohamed J. Bangura
The Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) has prioritized increased revenue collection, expanded water metering, reduction of distribution losses and rehabilitation of ageing infrastructure in its FY2027 budget.
Presenting the company’s FY2027 budget and strategic priorities, GVWC Managing Director Ing. Mariwan Kallon said the company is focused on improving the reliability, affordability and sustainability of potable water supply while strengthening its financial and operational capacity.
Ing. Kallon said the company’s mission is to provide safe, affordable and sustainable water to communities within its service area, while developing a reliable water-supply system capable of meeting present and future demand.
He explained that Guma Valley relies heavily on the Guma Valley system for treated water supply, while smaller schemes also complement the main system. Some of these facilities have been completed, while others are undergoing rehabilitation to strengthen overall supply capacity.
However, Ing. Kallon identified ageing transmission and treatment infrastructure as one of the major challenges facing the company, making planned maintenance and rehabilitation key components of the FY2027 investment programme.
“Our transmission and treatment facilities are actually aged,” he said, stressing the need for sustained maintenance to ensure that the system continues to operate efficiently.
A major focus of the FY2027 budget is improving revenue mobilization.
Ing. Kallon said Guma Valley plans to intensify meter installation and replace defective meters to improve accountability for water consumption, strengthen billing and encourage more efficient use of water.
The company also plans to tackle leakages across its network as part of efforts to reduce water losses and increase the volume of treated water reaching consumers.
He said the measures are expected to improve operational efficiency while supporting the company’s revenue-collection efforts.
The utility also intends to strengthen its digital systems, particularly for bill payments, to make it easier and more convenient for customers to settle their accounts.
According to Ing. Kallon improved digital payment systems would enhance customer convenience and contribute to more efficient revenue collection.
He further identified planned maintenance as a critical part of the company’s FY2027 operational strategy, given the age of its transmission and treatment facilities.
He said the budget would provide for investments to maintain and rehabilitate critical infrastructure, minimize disruptions and sustain water production and distribution.
Ing. Kallon also highlighted the importance of continued engagement with the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) to ensure that regulatory processes and other necessary arrangements are completed on time.
He said timely regulatory decisions and access to the resources required for operations would be important in preventing disruptions to water production and supply.
Beyond infrastructure and revenue mobilization, the company plans to strengthen staff capacity and use digital technology to improve service delivery.
Ing. Kallon said investment in staff development would form part of the company’s efforts to build the institutional capacity required to implement its strategic objectives effectively.
The FY2027 priorities also include improving access to potable water for low-income communities.
The Managing Director said Guma Valley intends to strengthen community services so that households in lower-income areas can benefit from potable water supply.
He said the objective is to extend access to safe water across communities within the company’s service area, including those with limited financial capacity.
Ing. Kallon said the company’s short-term objectives have been developed with consideration for commercial, operational and financial risks that could affect the implementation of its longer-term plans.
One of the identified risks is the possibility of delays in reviewing and approving arrangements on which some of the company’s projects depend.
He said such delays could affect project implementation and ultimately have implications for the company’s ability to deliver planned improvements in water services.
The Managing Director therefore emphasized the need for timely decisions, adequate resources and effective coordination among relevant institutions to ensure that the FY2027 budget translates into tangible improvements in water production, distribution and customer service.
The priorities outlined in the budget presentation reflect Guma Valley’s plans to address its challenges through infrastructure investment, revenue mobilization, water-loss reduction and digital transformation.
While maintenance and rehabilitation are intended to strengthen the physical water-supply system, expanded metering, improved billing and digital payments are expected to support the company’s financial sustainability.
At the same time, efforts to reduce leakages and extend services to low-income communities remain central to the company’s stated objective of improving access to reliable potable water.
Ing. Kallon said Guma Valley would continue implementing its strategic plan while monitoring the operational, commercial and financial risks that could affect its ability to provide sustainable water services.
The FY2027 budget therefore places emphasis on strengthening the company’s revenue base, protecting critical infrastructure and improving operational efficiency as Guma Valley seeks to provide more reliable water supply to residents across its service area.