March 29, 2021
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Water Resources chaired by Hon Lahai Marrah has on Thursday 26th March 2021 decided to take tougher measures against water sachet producing companies, relative to compliance and safety issues.
In an oversight meeting held at the Committee Room of Administrative Building in Freetown, there were in attendance various stakeholders from the water sector. The committee sought to ascertain some facts with a view to instituting compliance level of water production.
Briefing stakeholders of the water sector, the dynamic Chairman of the Water Resources, Hon. Lahai Marrah said as Parliament they are doing one of their major functions as inscribed in the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone which is an “oversight” role to monitor the operational activities of the water sector in the country. He said the engagement is a continuation of several engagements with water companies across the country, in the light of compliance with water regulatory policies.
Most importantly, the continuous meeting with the various stakeholders, including the Water Union, the Ministry of Health, Standard Bureau, the regulatory agencies, and the committee outlined stringent measures, relative to possession of health certificate, quality test without which their operations will not continue. A draft operational document and report for intended legislation formed part of the process.
Water Union expressed satisfaction with Parliament on the ongoing engagements with them and promised to comply with laws relating to water regulation policies.
During their deliberations, the committee observed that 70% of water companies failed their compliance level with Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Health, and Standard Bureau.
Hon. Lahai Marah and his committee members resolved that companies who fail to comply with laws of the land would soon stop operation immediately or face the full penalty of the law.
MPs raised concerns and questions over safety standard of water companies operating in the country, relative to consumption. The Committee insisted on tough measures against defaulting water companies listed by the regulatory bodies.
Both representatives , from both Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Health, as well as Standard Bureau spoke well on their mandate regarding the regulations of water companies in the country and promised the committee that they would work by the mandate.
However, certain water companies were commended by MPs for complying and requested them to do more in providing safe and affordable water for the population of the country.