By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone’s Parliament has approved the appointment of fifteen presidential nominees, following an intense debate that brought the country’s ongoing water crisis into sharp focus.
While lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties praised the qualifications and experience of the appointees, they also called for urgent reforms in the water sector to ensure that clean, affordable water is accessible to all citizens across the country.
Presenting the Second Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, assured Parliament that all nominees had been thoroughly vetted for their experience, integrity, tax compliance, and commitment to service delivery. He described the report as reflecting the “unanimous confidence” of the Committee and urged Parliament to support the appointees in advancing the country’s development.
Throughout the debate, MPs from both sides of the aisle raised concerns over the state of the water supply nationwide, with many calling for immediate attention to the sector’s challenges.
Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, stressed the need for the government to “unbundle the water sector for easier access nationwide,” describing the current water system as “deplorable.” He praised Festus Kallay, who was approved as Director General of the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), as a “man of many strengths” with the expertise to drive much-needed reforms in the sector.
From Kono to the Western Area, lawmakers painted a grim picture of water scarcity. Hon. Mamoud Kamara highlighted that communities such as Juba and Kamayama “still struggle to access clean water,” while Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara noted that high costs from SALWACO (Sierra Leone Water Company) prevent smaller companies from producing safe drinking water. “We must ensure that the water reaching the public is pure and affordable,” he urged.
Four key water-related institutions now have new leadership including Ing. Tideni Hawa Jabbi, Managing Director, SALWACO, Ing. Mariwan Kallon, Managing Director, Guma Valley Water Company, Mr. Festus Kallay, Director General, EWRC and Ing. Pierre Palmer, Director General, National Water Resources Management Agency
Lawmakers described these appointments as strategic, given the urgent need to reform the sector. Hon. Tamba Kellie called on the new leaders to “regulate and reform the water sector to guarantee safe and affordable water for all Sierra Leoneans.”
Hon. Lolloh Tongi also appealed to Guma Valley Water Company to protect the water catchment areas around the Freetown Peninsula, warning that encroachment in these areas threatens the city’s main water sources.
Despite political differences, both sides of Parliament agreed that access to water is a fundamental right. Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, Deputy Whip 1 of the Opposition, emphasized that “sometimes politics should be put aside for the progress of the state,” urging the nominees to focus on results.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition, advised the appointees to be both innovative and ethical in their duties. “Institutions fail not because of a lack of laws, but because of mismanagement,” he warned.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving access to water, describing the sector as “central to President Julius Maada Bio’s development vision.” He commended Festus Kallay’s professionalism, calling him a “colorless and strong administrator,” and assured Parliament that the government remains focused on delivering clean water, stable energy, and economic growth.
“Our business is to ensure that people have access to essential services across the country,” he said.
With Parliament’s approval secured, lawmakers have sent a clear message: Sierra Leone’s water sector must deliver. The newly appointed heads of water and regulatory agencies now face the challenge of turning policy promises into tangible outcomes ensuring reliable access to clean water for every household. This is a test that could define their tenure and the future of the nation’s development.