Bintu Water Company Summoned
By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Water Resources summoned[p1] representatives of Bintu Water Company at the Parliament Administrative Building on February 28, 2025, to clarify allegations against the sachet water manufacturer.
The company which is based in Kenema, has been accused of operating without registration from the Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), failing to pay electricity bills, and other related issues.
During the hearing, a representative from Bintu Water Company admitted that the company began operations in October 2024 without the necessary documentation, including registration with EWRC, a factory labor certificate from the Ministry of Labour, and certification from the Ministry of Water Resources. The representative explained that despite the lack of essential paperwork, the company moved forward with production, citing the unavailability of EWRC registration forms in Kenema at the time. According to the representative, EWRC had instructed the company to wait until January 2025, when the forms would be available.
Furthermore, the Bintu Water representative stated that the company had undergone inspections by the Standards Bureau and the Ministry of Health, both of which issued certificates confirming the safety of the company’s equipment and confirming that staff had passed necessary medical checks.
Addressing the issue of unpaid electricity bills, the representative clarified that when the company first started operations, it used an EDSA prepaid meter. However, the meter was malfunctioned, and after reporting the issue to EDSA, the company was informed that no replacement meters were available at the time. As a temporary measure, EDSA placed the company on a monthly payment plan. The company complied by paying NLe 400 in October and NLe 200 monthly from November onward. Eventually, EDSA replaced the faulty meter with a new one.
A representative from EWRC also provided insight into the legal requirements for operating a water company in Sierra Leone. He emphasized that obtaining a license before beginning operations is mandatory. The license requires several essential documents, including a certification from the Standards Bureau that the equipment is suitable for water production, a health certificate confirming that the staff has undergone medical checks, and a valid business license. “You must gather all these documents and submit them to EWRC for registration,” he said, explaining the necessary steps for legal compliance.
The EWRC representative also advised new companies to seek assistance from the Water Company Union to help facilitate the registration process. Once all the required documents are gathered, they must be submitted to EWRC for verification. Additionally, companies must undergo a water quality test, which must be renewed every six months. Before issuing a license, EWRC is also required to inspect the factory to ensure it meets the required standards.
“If you operate without a license, EWRC has the authority to shut down the factory and impose a fine of NLe 50,000 (Le 50 million in old notes),” the EWRC representative warned.
The chairman of the committee, Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara, who represents Kambia District, emphasized the importance of securing an agreement with SALWACO or GUMA Valley, the only approved water sources for production in Sierra Leone. “It is crucial to have an agreement with SALWACO or GUMA Valley to supply water. There are only three sources from which water can be obtained for production: SALWACO, GUMA Valley, or a borehole,” he cautioned. Honourable Kamara further explained that such agreements ensure that the water used in production meets basic standards and can be further purified.
In light of the company’s current situation, Honourable Kamara advised Bintu Water Company to work closely with the Water Union and EWRC to resolve the issues swiftly. While he expressed understanding of the company’s challenges, he decided not to shut down the factory immediately, as doing so could negatively impact the livelihoods of its employees. However, he stressed the importance of expediting the registration process to ensure smooth operations going forward.
As part of the investigation, Honourable Kamara announced that the Committee of Water Resources would conduct an unannounced spot check at the Bintu Water factory, with journalists invited to cover the inspection. However, the date of the inspection was not disclosed at the time.
With Bintu Water Company facing a series of regulatory challenges, the Committee of Water Resources has emphasized the need for all water manufacturing companies to comply with legal and health standards, ensuring that water production in Sierra Leone meets the necessary safety and quality requirements.
