GVWC Resets to Improve Water Supply
By Musa Conteh
The Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving water supply across the Western Area, as the Company presented its FY2027 budget and strategic priorities during the Ministry of Finance Bilateral Budget Hearings.
Presenting Guma Valley’s priorities for the 2027 financial year, Managing Director Ing. Mariwan Kallon said the Company’s major objective is to consolidate the progress achieved in recent years and transform ongoing investments into dependable, sustainable and accessible water services for residents of the Western Area.
“Our central objective is to move Western Area’s water services from recovery to reliability,” Ing. Kallon stated.
According to the Managing Director, Guma Valley’s FY2027 programme is closely aligned with the Government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030 and broader national development priorities.
He said the Company’s focus will be on completing key infrastructure projects, improving financial sustainability, expanding access to potable water, strengthening operational efficiency, and promoting greater accountability and good governance.
“FY2027 is about completing what has been started, strengthening our finances and ensuring that investment in water infrastructure translates into reliable services for the people of the Western Area,” Ing. Kallon emphasised.
NLe 32.5 Million Government Support Sought
As part of its 2027 programme, Guma Valley is seeking NLe 32.538 million in Government support to finance critical interventions aimed at strengthening water production, distribution and access.
The proposed allocation includes NLe 4 million as counterpart funding for the Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP), NLe 19.0377 million for the construction of 45 industrial boreholes, NLe 7.5 million for the Funkia-Goderich water supply intervention, and NLe 2 million for five minor water sources.
According to the GVWC’s MD, these investments will help increase production capacity, strengthen the resilience of the water supply system and extend services to communities that remain underserved.
The FY2027 request comes against the backdrop of substantial investments already made by the Government and development partners in the Western Area water sector.
Among the major achievements are the expansion of the Babadorie Raw-Water Storage facility to approximately 132 million litres, repairs to the Kongo Dam and associated weirs, as well as the completion of the Angola Water Supply System.
The Angola project includes a 3 million-litre-per-day treatment plant, a 2.5 million-litre reservoir, 45 kilometres of transmission and distribution mains and approximately 2,000 customer connections, with an estimated 70,000 people expected to benefit.
Several major Guma Valley infrastructure projects are also approaching completion.
The Allen Town Treatment Plant expansion, which is expected to increase production capacity from 3.2 million litres per day to 7 million litres per day, is approximately 98.85 percent complete.
Meanwhile, the 45-kilometre WASHAERP distribution network has reached approximately 97 percent completion, while works at Mortem and Mongegba are estimated at 92.67 percent completion.
Other works involving pumping stations, reservoirs and rising mains are also progressing as the Company works to strengthen the Western Area’s overall water infrastructure.
However, Guma Valley says increasing water production alone will not be sufficient to guarantee improved services. The Company therefore plans to place greater emphasis on customer management, metering, revenue mobilisation and reducing water losses.
Under its FY2027 operational programme, Guma Valley plans to install approximately 10,000 water meters and add about 1,000 new or reactivated customers.
The Company also intends to improve billing accuracy, strengthen revenue collection and address outstanding arrears.
Guma Valley is targeting 87 percent collection efficiency while seeking to reduce non-revenue water to below 40 percent.
“Every resource entrusted to Guma must translate into measurable results: more water, wider access, lower losses and better customer service,’’ Ing. Kallon said.
The Managing Director stressed that infrastructure development must be accompanied by effective commercial management, efficient operations and strong accountability if the investments are to deliver the desired impact.
Consequently, improved metering, accurate billing, leakage control and stronger recovery of outstanding payments will form an important part of the Company’s strategy, alongside investments in water treatment, storage and distribution.
From Infrastructure Investment to Reliable Service
Guma Valley’s FY2027 strategy ultimately seeks to move the Western Area’s water sector beyond infrastructure recovery towards a more reliable and sustainable service delivery model.
The Company says its priority is not only to complete major projects but also to ensure that completed infrastructure produces tangible benefits for households, businesses and communities.
With continued Government and development-partner support, Guma Valley aims to expand access to potable water, strengthen its financial position, reduce system losses and improve customer service across the Western Area.
The FY2027 programme therefore represents a broader effort to ensure that investments in water infrastructure translate into greater access, more reliable supply, stronger institutional performance and a healthier and more resilient Western Area.
