On Friday, February 17th, 2023, a delegation from the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) departed Freetown for Bonthe Island. The rationale of the Bonthe visit was to sensitize people on water usage and to publicly announce the commercialization of the water supply system in the district. The SALWACO team was led by the Company’s Director of Planning, Research and Policy, Mr. Saffa Bockarie.
The engagement which took place at the Bonthe District Council Hall brought together several stakeholders and a good number of residents in the Municipality. Chairman of the event, who happened to be the Mayor of the Bonthe Municipal Council, His Lordship, Layemin Joe Sandi informed that he could not be more pleased to welcome the SALWACO delegation. He spoke about how a good number of sections of the Municipality have been enjoying the supply of safe drinking water for some time now. He said that such speaks to the fact that SALWACO is an institution that works in line with the aims and aspirations of the government of Sierra Leone and the President Bio-led administration.
Mayor Joe Sandi added before now, the Municipality had greatly been constrained to get access to safe drinking water. He said that at some point, his Council had to reach out to World Vision International to aid in salvaging the situation. He however said that they also continued to lobby with SALWACO’s supervisory ministry; Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Water Resources. He noted that today, as a result of those strategic engagements and discussions, Bonthe is once again proud and happy to get a reliable water supply. He said that it was now the responsibility of residents to take absolute care of the SALWACO installations and to see that the services are adequately protected at all times.
Director of Planning, Research and Policy for SALWACO, Mr. Saffa Bockarie said that phase one of what SALWACO is currently doing in Bonthe Island covers rehabilitation for lots 1&2, adding that those projects are already near completion. He touched on the importance of water as a basic necessity and urged people not to waste water. He noted that water treatment comes at a huge cost and informed the gathering to be ready and willing to pay for water in line with the announced water rates. He reiterated that treating water with chemicals is huge and that SALWACO tries as best to ensure that Water Treatments comply with WHO standards.
Project Engineer of the Bonthe Water Supply, Ing. Yusuf Junisa spoke on the different tariffs and encouraged people to pay for consumed water. He added that water tariffs vary depending on consumption. He said that effective immediately, there is a cut-off for all residents in freely accessing water, stating that all consumed water should now be paid for at very minimal rates. He said that water rates range from Le 9 and Le 15 for private/domestic homes, with a fixed charge of Le 5. Institutions should pay Le 15/Le 20 and a fixed charge of Le 10. Commercial entities are to pay Le 32 and a fixed charge of Le 10. The flat rate is Le 50/month and a fixed charge of Le 10.
Ing Yusuf furthered that there would equally be metre readers, noting that the bills would be time bound and that non-payment of water rates may lead to disconnection.
Stakeholders present appreciated the SALWACO delegation for what they referred to as very timely engagements and a welcoming sensitization. They assured of their commitment to adequately uphold and honour the new water rates. They particularly felt happy to note that past water (already supplied and or consumed) will not be billed and expressed unhindered willingness therefore to pay for the new water rates henceforth. Some of the residents are in areas that are yet to get connected pleaded with the SALWACO Management to ensure in-time connections for the benefit of all.
The sensitization ended on a high and positivist note. People promised to take ownership of SALWACO facilities and to adequately help to monitor the same plus to pay for consumed water. They further plead with SALWACO to continue to ensure that water is adequately treated with chemicals and related others and to see that it is safe for drinking.
The SALWACO team also produced sensitization jingles on the engagement in Krio, Mende and Sherbro for the absolute understanding of all and sundry. On the whole, because of the unhidden significance of water, people in the Municipality have promised to leave up to expectations and equally asked SALWACO for better and quality services.
©️ Communications Unit
