By: Audrey Raymonda John
The South-East sensitization campaign for the Saudi-funded 100 Solar-Powered Boreholes Project officially kicked off today with a stakeholder engagement session held at the Bo District Council Hall. The project forms part of the Saudi Program for the Drilling of Wells and Rural Development in Africa (Phase V – Sierra Leone) and is implemented by the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO).
In his keynote address, Apostle Dr. Albert Harrison Harvey, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Managing Director of SALWACO, stated that the project is in line with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Big Five Agenda, the Medium-Term National Development Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Funded by the Saudi Fund for Development, the initiative aims to ensure access to safe and sustainable water supply in rural communities.
Dr. Harvey noted that the project will benefit 100 communities across 78 chiefdoms, targeting an estimated 250,000 people. Bo Districtis set to receive 11 wells, with one borehole allocated per town. He added that EMT, an international contractor, has been selected to carry out the construction works.
Dr. Harvey appealed to district stakeholders to support the project by forming local focal teams, securing suitable and uncontaminated land for borehole drilling, and ensuring community ownership of the facilities.
Paramount Chief Mohamed Tshomee Kargbo II, who hosted the SALWACO delegation, welcomed the project team and expressed his gratitude, highlighting the dire need for clean water in many rural communities.
Bo District Council Chairman, Mr. Victor Koseh Hindowa, who chaired the session, commended SALWACO and its partners for their commitment to improving water infrastructure in underserved areas.
In his statement, Edmond M.A. Kabu, SALWACO’s Regional Manager for the South, explained that the primary goal of the initiative is to improve living standards in rural communities by ensuring reliable access to clean drinking water. Each borehole will include a solar-powered pump, a 10,000-litre storage tank, and a distribution system extending up to one kilometer, featuring standpipes and taps for public use.
Ing. Alex P. Musa, SALWACO’s Station Manager, provided a technical overview of the project, assuring the audience that SALWACO will deliver technical oversight, community training, and ongoing monitoring. He emphasized the importance of community engagement including land provision, protection of infrastructure, and the selection of responsible focal persons for local management.
Director of Commercial Services, Mr. Mohamed Aziz Waggay, also addressed the gathering, explaining that the project is scheduled for a two-year implementation period. He stressed that community involvement is vital to its success, and to avoid future disputes, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed between SALWACO and landowners, with the presence of local councils. He underscored that the boreholes are meant to serve all community members equitably.
The sensitization tour will continue in Mattru Jong, followed by sessions in Moyamba, Pujehun, and will conclude in the Kailahun and Kenema* Districts.